‘Super app’ aimed at UK students uses servers owned by Chinese firm on US blacklist
ZyMix platform has contract with Tencent, which US alleges has links to People’s Liberation Army A new messaging and payment “super app” marketed at British students uses servers o
By The Guardian
A new app marketed to British university students uses infrastructure supplied by Tencent, the Chinese technology company recently placed on a US military-linked blacklist.
ZyMix describes itself as the UK’s first “super app” for Generation Z. It combines messaging, payments and community features in one platform.
The app has a contract with Tencent Cloud Europe BV, a German-based subsidiary of Tencent Holdings. The company is headquartered in Shenzhen, China.
The United States alleges that Tencent has links to China’s People’s Liberation Army. Being included on the US list restricts access to US defence contracts, although it is not the same as sanctions or export controls.
Tencent has rejected the designation. A company spokesperson said the listing was an error and that Tencent was neither a military company nor a military supplier. The company said it would work with the US Department of Defence to resolve what it called a misunderstanding.
The connection between ZyMix and Tencent was initially disclosed in the app’s privacy policy when the service launched. The reference was later removed after questions from The Guardian.
ZyMix subsequently said it uses Tencent Cloud Europe BV for supporting services and performance testing, rather than as a provider that stores ZyMix users’ data.
The company’s revised privacy notice states that personal data is mainly stored and processed in the UK and European Union. It also says some service providers are based in other countries, including the United States.
ZyMix said its privacy notice is being updated as its services develop.