The World Cup is a huge event, bringing fans from all over the globe together. In 2022, many people traveled to Qatar to watch their favorite teams play. But before anyone could even get into the country, there was a special requirement: everyone had to download certain apps on their phones.

These apps were said to be for health tracking and to help with entry. Most people downloaded them without a second thought, eager to experience the games. What many didn't realize was that these seemingly simple apps held a secret that would soon alarm privacy experts worldwide.

The Apps Everyone Had to Download

Visitors to Qatar for the World Cup were told they needed two main apps. One was called Ehteraz, and it was supposed to be for health tracking, like showing your COVID-19 status. The other was Hayya, which served as a digital entry permit and a way to access the stadiums.

These apps were presented as necessary tools for a smooth and safe trip. They were part of the official process. For most travelers, it felt like a small step to take for such a big event, a simple part of their travel plans.

Experts

Sound the Alarm on Privacy

As the World Cup drew closer, security researchers and privacy advocates began to look closely at these required apps. What they found caused serious concern. These apps asked for many more permissions than seemed necessary for their stated functions.

It appeared the apps could reach deep into a user's phone, accessing personal information that had nothing to do with health or stadium entry. This raised immediate red flags about *data collection

• and what might happen to that sensitive information.

What Data Was Being Collected?

The apps requested permissions that allowed them to do a lot. They could read, delete, or change content on a user's phone. They could also stop a phone from going to sleep, which meant they could run in the background constantly.

More concerning, the Ehteraz app could access a user's precise location, turn on their phone's Bluetooth, and even read network connections. The Hayya app, meanwhile, could access a user's phone calls, see their exact location, and view their photos and videos. This level of access was far beyond what most apps require.

"The apps have a lot of permissions that go way beyond what would be necessary for the stated purpose," one expert warned. "They're designed for mass surveillance."

More Than

Just a Football Trip

For many, the World Cup was a dream trip. But for those who downloaded the apps, their phones essentially became tracking devices. With access to location, calls, and even photos, the apps could build a very detailed picture of a person's activities and contacts.

This went beyond simple health monitoring. It raised questions about who was watching and why. The host country's laws on privacy are different from many Western nations, adding another layer of worry for visitors.

The "Spyware"

Label and Reactions

Because of the extensive permissions, some cybersecurity experts didn't hesitate to call the apps "spyware." This strong term highlighted the potential for unwanted surveillance and the lack of control users would have over their own data.

Countries like Norway, France, and Germany issued warnings to their citizens. Some even suggested using *burner phones

• or leaving personal phones at home. This advice showed just how serious the privacy concerns were, moving from expert discussions to official government guidance.

Deleting the Apps: Was It Enough?

After the World Cup ended, many visitors quickly deleted the Ehteraz and Hayya apps from their phones. But the question remained: was simply deleting the app enough to erase the data that had already been collected? Probably not.

Once data is collected, it's often stored on servers controlled by the app's developers. Deleting the app from your phone doesn't delete that stored data. This means that personal information could still be held, potentially for a long time, without the user's knowledge or consent.

A Forgotten

Lesson in Digital Rights

The story of the World Cup apps serves as a powerful reminder of how easily our digital rights can be overlooked. In the excitement of a major event, people are often willing to give up a lot for convenience or to meet requirements. This situation showed how quickly technology can be used for purposes beyond what users expect.

It also highlights the need for greater transparency from app developers and event organizers. Users should always know exactly what data is being collected, why it's being collected, and how it will be used and stored. Without this information, people can't make informed choices about their privacy.

The World Cup app controversy is a story that faded from headlines quickly after the games ended. But the questions it raised about digital privacy, mandatory apps, and government surveillance remain important. As more of our lives move online and into apps, understanding who has access to our data becomes more critical than ever before. We must always consider the hidden costs of convenience and the long-term impact on our personal information. What might seem like a small requirement today could have much larger implications for our privacy tomorrow.