Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A number of widely used mobile applications installed on millions of Android and iPhone devices worldwide have been found to have direct ties to Israel military and intelligence apparatus.
According to a report by TechTrends, many apps were developed by companies founded by former members of Unit 8200, an elite Israeli military division specializing in surveillance and cyber operations.
The apps span various categories, including photo editors, mobile games, and navigation tools with some already popular in markets like Indonesia. Among them are the digital mapping app Waze and public transportation platform Moovit.
Critics warn that several of these companies have been accused of embedding adware, user trackers, or harvesting personal data. In some cases, open-source applications were acquired by Israeli firms and quickly transformed into heavily monetized platforms. Following acquisition, some platforms also quietly updated their privacy policies, raising alarms about the extent of user data exposure.
Because these apps are deeply integrated into smartphones, most users remain unaware that they may be using software tied to Israeli intelligence. Some of the developers have faced backlash over exploitative data practices and unclear opt-in tracking mechanisms. Yet, fueled by aggressive advertising and strategic partnerships with major platforms like Google and Facebook, download numbers continue to climb.
Here is a list of popular apps reportedly developed by individuals linked to Israeli intelligence or military units, as reported by CNN Indonesia:
- ZipoApps – Founded by a former Unit 8200 intelligence officer
- Bazaart – Created by a former Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) intelligence agent
- Lightricks – Co-founded by a current Unit 8200 operative
- Supersonic – Led by a former IDF operations commander
- Playtika – Founded by the son of a former IDF Chief of Staff
- Crazy Labs – All founders are reportedly active IDF personnel
- Moovit – Built by veterans of Israel’s cyber unit Mamram
- CallApp – Founded by a developer who served in Unit 8200 for three years
- Gett – Created by a former Unit 8200 officer
- Waze – Developed by a former Unit 8200 engineer
- Fooducate – Founded by a former Israeli Air Force pilot
Read Also:
Israeli Airstrike Kills Director of Indonesia Hospital in Gaza
The close connection between Israel’s military-tech supply chain and its thriving app ecosystem highlights the extent of the country’s strategy to expand its global technological influence. Alumni of Unit 8200 are not only software developers but also cybersecurity specialists with extensive experience in digital surveillance and intelligence gathering.
Amid growing international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, activists argue that revenue generated from these apps may indirectly fund military operations or bolster the country’s surveillance capabilities.
This has led to renewed momentum behind the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which is now urging users to delete Israel intelligence linked applications from their devices, including mobile phone as part of a broader push for ethical tech consumption.
(Raidi/Agung)
