Ukrainian Android developer Artem Pelevin has spoken about the potential risks of using the Russian-free and bot-free social networking application Yedna, which is being actively discussed in the Ukrainian IT community.
Ukrainian Android developer Artem Pelevin has spoken about the potential risks of using the Russian-free and bot-free social networking application Yedna, which is being actively discussed in the Ukrainian IT community.
He posted his position on LinkedIn.
According to Pelevin, the main problem is not the idea of the product itself, but how it works with users' personal data. «The most dangerous thing is not what we can do ourselves, but what they can do with the data we surround ourselves with,» he noted.
The developer points out two key features of the app: user verification via «Diya» and constant access to geolocation. In his opinion, this combination can create risks, especially for military or other sensitive categories of users.
«Is it worth reminding you that it is undesirable for the military to be public? Can you imagine how much information can be obtained from photos, comments, and geolocation?» he writes.
Separately, Pelevin raises questions about the mechanics of verification through «Diya.» He suggests that in the event of incorrect implementation, a third-party service may receive more data than is necessary to confirm the identity.
In a comment under an interview with the social network’s developers, he also notes that small startups may not have sufficient resources to properly protect sensitive information: «A startup rents a server for a few dollars and stores personal data of Ukrainians there — from full name to geolocation. Guess what can go wrong,» the developer wrote.
He also drew parallels with cases of the use of surveillance technologies for military purposes, emphasizing that even everyday data can pose a risk in wartime.
The Yedna team has not yet publicly commented on these remarks. dev.ua has reached out to the team for comment.
