Does 'My 2022' app pose cybersecurity risks for attendees?

The claim: According to an American business-focused daily newspaper, the USOPC sent out warnings to athletes that "every device, communication, transaction and online activity may be monitored" when they travel to China. A German newspaper reported that the German Olympic Sports Confederation has asked members of its delegation not to download the "My 2022" app onto their personal phones which they have been advised to leave at home.

Fact: "My 2022" is a multi-functional app that provides various information services on weather, catering, accommodation, traffic, event news and medal standings to the accredited people of Beijing 2022. The app also serves for epidemic prevention and control and is similar to that used at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

According to the second edition of the Playbook, all accredited overseas Olympic participants must submit their health status daily through the health monitoring system for 14 days before entry into China.

It is not compulsory to install "My 2022" on cell phones, as accredited personnel can log on to the health monitoring system on the web page instead, a spokesperson of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games told Xinhua.

Data collected is clearly stated in the user agreement and privacy policy of the app and has been reviewed by the International Olympic Committee.

"My 2022" will inquire about the user's consent to access phone features in pop-up windows when it is opened for the first time. The app won't access related phone features if not in use, and users can turn off the permissions at any time in the system settings without affecting the app operation.

Also, "My 2022" has passed the examination of overseas mobile application markets such as Google, Apple and Samsung.