Cyber security bureau warns against fake ‘1980s retro photo’ apps

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The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) cautioned people against fraudsters exploiting the viral ‘1980s retro photo editing’ trend to steal sensitive information from mobile phones.

According to the advisory issued on Saturday, fraudsters are circulating advertisements and messages offering free or unlimited access to applications that transform ordinary photographs into retro-style images. Users are then directed to suspicious links and asked to download APK files from unverified sources.

Once installed, malicious applications can seek excessive permissions and potentially access SMS messages and OTPs, contacts, personal information, banking and financial details, notifications and other device data. The stolen information could then be used for financial fraud, unauthorised transactions, identity theft and other cybercrimes, the bureau said.

People should never share OTPs, PINs, passwords or banking credentials. Those who suspect that they have installed a malicious application should uninstall it immediately and review the permissions granted to it. Keeping mobile operating systems and applications updated with the latest security patches was also advised.

“An attractive photo-editing offer can be a trap. Think before you click, verify before you install, and never trust unknown APK files,” TGCSB Director Shikha Goel said.

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