How Israeli Intelligence Apps in Your Phone Quietly Took Over the App Stores
Beneath your favorite filters and games lies a network of tech power built by veterans of one of the world’s most secretive intelligence units.
Some of the world’s most downloaded mobile apps—used for gaming, image editing, transit, and call screening—are quietly tied to one of the most powerful military cyber units on the planet. These apps, often downloaded in good faith, are developed by companies founded by alumni of Unit 8200, the Israeli military’s elite surveillance and cyberwarfare division.
From AI-powered photo editors to mobile games with hundreds of millions of installs, these platforms make up a billion-dollar industry. While users focus on convenience or entertainment, they may unknowingly be contributing to Israel’s surveillance economy. This web of influence is deeper and more embedded than most people realize.
In this report, we map out the Israeli tech startups and companies whose apps dominate global downloads—and whose founders spent their early careers in military intelligence.
Chart: Major Israeli Intelligence Apps in Your Phone
| Company | Popular Apps | Military Background |
|---|---|---|
| ZipoApps | Collage Maker, Instasquare, Simple Gallery | Founded by ex-Unit 8200 intelligence agents |
| Bazaart | Bazaart Photo Editor | Created by former IDF intelligence officers |
| Lightricks | Facetune | Co-founder served in Unit 8200 |
| Supersonic | Going Balls, Build a Queen, Bridge Race | CEO led ops for Israeli Air Force |
| Playtika | Slotomania, WSOP | Founder is son of ex-IDF Chief of Staff |
| Crazy Labs | Sculpt People, Miraculous Ladybug | All founders served in the IDF |
| Moovit | Moovit Transit App | Built by Mamram cyber unit veterans |
| CallApp | CallApp Spam Blocker | Founder spent 3 years in Unit 8200 |
| Gett | Corporate Ride-Hailing | Created by ex-Unit 8200 officers |
| Waze | GPS Navigation App (acquired by Google) | Founded by ex-Unit 8200 engineers |
| Fooducate | Nutrition Scanner | Founder was an Israeli Air Force pilot |
Why It Matters: Data, Privacy, and Global Tech Influence
The concern isn’t just about where these apps come from—it’s about what they’re built to do. Many of these companies have been accused of embedding adware, trackers, or collecting unnecessary personal data. In some cases, apps like Simple Gallery were transformed from open-source tools to heavily monetized platforms shortly after being acquired by Israeli firms.
Because these tools are so deeply embedded in mobile ecosystems, most users don’t realize they are using Israeli intelligenceapps in their phone. Some platforms have quietly shifted their privacy policies post-acquisition, raising further red flags about the extent of user data exposure.
Several of these companies, including ZipoApps and Supersonic, have received criticism for predatory data collection and vague opt-in tracking models. Despite this, their install numbers continue to grow—often aided by heavy ad spending and partnerships with major platforms like Google and Facebook.
From Battlefield to App Store: A Digital Frontline
The tight link between Israel’s military tech pipeline and its booming app economy shows how deeply rooted military strategy is in its global tech ambitions. Unit 8200 alumni are not just developers—they are cybersecurity operatives with deep experience in signals intelligence and digital surveillance.
This connection raises ethical questions. With growing international condemnation of Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank, critics argue that revenue generated through app ecosystems indirectly supports military operations and deepens the surveillance capabilities of the Israeli state.
That’s why movements like Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) are now turning their attention to digital platforms. Encouraging people to remove Israeli intelligence apps from your phone is emerging as a new frontier in ethical tech consumption.
How to Check and What to Do
If you’re unsure whether an app on your device is linked to Israeli defense contractors or military veterans, here are steps to take:
- Review the developer name in the app store
- Search company profiles on platforms like LinkedIn or Crunchbase
- Use open-source alternatives wherever possible
- Support developers who commit to ethical data practices
Choosing what to install isn’t just about functionality anymore. It’s about what kind of digital future we want to build.
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