Four lending app removed from Google Play Store over privacy risk

FOUR online lending applications flagged for alleged privacy violations have been removed from the Google Play Store.

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) has ordered the immediate takedown of four online lending apps that have been the subject of complaints for alleged unauthorized use of personal data.

Borrowers complained that online lending apps (OLAs) JuanHand, Pesopop, CashJeep, and Lemon Loan have been using users’ personal data to shame and harass them to collect debt.

The NPC in a press release on Wednesday said it sent copies of the order to Google LLC to remove the apps from the mobile application store, noting the apps pose privacy risks to people who download them.

Before their removal, the four apps had been downloaded for a total of over 2.1 million times from the Google Play Store.

The NPC recently linked with Google’s regional office for the immediate execution of the commission’s orders.

Privacy Commissioner Raymund Enriquez Liboro said online lending apps should use lawful and reasonable methods of processing data.

“For other OLAs, the NPC strongly urges you to employ knowyour-customer (KYC) and debt collection practices that are aligned with NPC Circular No. 20-01, where we laid out guidelines,” he said.

The commission in four separate orders directed Wefund

Lending Corp., Joywin Lending Investor, Inc., Cash8 Lending Corp., and Populus Lending Corp. — operators of JuanHand, Lemon Loan, CashJeep, and Pesopop, respectively — to stop processing their borrowers’ personal data. The companies operating the apps are being investigated for violations of the Data Privacy Act.

The NPC is investigating more than 200 online lending apps available for download. —