WASHINGTON — The White House launched an official mobile app this week that requests several permissions unusual for a government news application, including precise GPS location tracking, the ability to modify or delete user files, and permission to “draw over other apps,” according to the app’s listing on Google Play.
While many of the app’s 14 requested permissions are standard for video streaming and news applications — such as internet access, push notifications, and preventing the device from sleeping during video playback — several stand out as atypical for an official government information app.
Questionable permissions
The app requests:
Precise GPS location: The app asks for both network-based location (standard for regional content) and GPS-based location tracking. Most news apps do not require GPS-level precision to deliver content.
Modify or delete files: While news and video apps typically need permission to write files to a device for caching articles and videos, the White House app specifically requests permission to “modify or delete the contents of your USB storage” — meaning it can delete user files beyond its own cached content.
“Draw over other apps”: This permission allows an application to display content on top of other apps while they are running. The permission is typically used for features like Facebook Messenger’s chat heads or floating video players. Security experts have warned that the permission can be exploited to display fake login screens or hide content. It is rarely used by news applications and is not standard for government information apps.
View Wi-Fi connections: The app requests permission to view which Wi-Fi networks the device is connected to, a permission not typically required for news delivery.
Standard permissions
The app also requests several permissions that are routine for video streaming and news apps with push notifications:
- Full network access and receive data from the internet
- Run at startup (enables push notifications)
- Control vibration (for notification alerts)
- Prevent the device from sleeping (for uninterrupted video playback)
- View network connections
What the app offers
According to the White House release, the app allows users to receive breaking news alerts, watch live streams of briefings and speeches, access a media library, stay connected on policy updates, and send feedback to the administration.
The announcement describes the app as delivering updates “from the Oval Office straight to your phone” and providing “a direct line to the White House — cutting through the noise with unfiltered, real-time updates straight from the source.”
What’s not explained
The White House announcement and app store listings do not explain:
- Why does a news and video app require precise GPS location rather than an approximate location
- What the “draw over other apps” permission is used for
- Why does the app need permission to delete user files rather than just write its own cached content
- What user data is collected, where it is stored, and whether it is shared with third parties
- Why the app needs to view Wi-Fi connection information
The White House did not respond to questions about the app’s privacy policy, data collection practices, or why permissions atypical for government news apps are required.
The app is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.