From posting photos and videos to tracking physical activity, apps can do almost anything, but while they may seem like harmless fun, they may also pose a threat to personal data and national security. This paper compares the different responses of the United States, Canada and Germany to data risks posed by popular apps such as FaceApp, Facebook, Strava, TikTok and ToTok. These apps and many others store troves of personal data that can be hacked and misused, putting users (and the countries in which they live) at risk.
Recent Publications
Do AI Chatbot Firms Practice What They Preach?
This study examines whether leading AI chatbot companies implement the responsible AI principles they publicly advocate. The authors used a mixed-methods approach analyzing four major chatbots (ChatGPT, Gemini, Deep Seek, and Grok) across company websites, technical...
China-U.S. Rivalry Will Split the World into Competing AI Camps
The U.S. and China both put forward plans for artificial intelligence last month. The two have long sought to lead on AI, and their competition has led to technological breakthroughs, lower costs, and wider use of the technology. But as their new plans illustrate,...
Taking the Wrong Lesson from China’s AI Strategy
Taking the Wrong Lesson from China’s AI Strategy The United States is mimicking China’s approach to centralized data, risking privacy, security and democratic accountability in the name of AI leadership. Chinese leaders early on recognized the importance of data for...




