Lifelock stated monday that they were temporarily suspending its iOS and Android apps because it may have failed to adequately secure user data.
LifeLock’s decision was made a week ago to delete all information located on its hosts by the Wallet mobile app for iOS and Android devices. LifeLock, which obtained the apps in December for around $42.6 million, also yanked them from the Apple App Store and Google Play Market. The organization took the bizarre steps after deciding that unspecified components of the apps “may not be fully compliant with payment card industry (PCI) security standards” that are binding on most merchants who accept payments through credit or debit cards.
“We know we’re asking a lot of our LifeLock Wallet users—to delete and go without this application for a period of time,” CEO Todd Davis wrote in a blog post published Friday. “I personally apologize for the inconvenience. At the same time, I want to make sure that when LifeLock Wallet is available again, you’ll know that you can download it, provide your personal information, and use it again with confidence—knowing that it’s backed by an industry leader that is committed to doing the right thing and taking care of its customers.” The company, which said there’s no indication that any data has been maliciously compromised, issued an accompanying statement to shareholders at the same time.
Friday’s disclosure is not the very first time LifeLock techniques or management came under close critique. In 2010, the organization decided to pay $12 million to the FTC and 35 states to settle charges that it used false claims to market its identity fraud protection solutions. Additionally, it follows revelations that Davis’ identity has been misappropriated numerous times over the years despite ads promoting the effectiveness of LifeLock services by displaying his Social Security number on the side of a truck.
