Kaspersky Lab researchers examined the Russian navigation app 2GIS after it had previously been flagged as suspicious by Google Play’s security system. The information reached socialbites.ca through the official press channel of the 2GIS company, which clarified the situation and provided details about the testing process.
The analysts ran concurrent evaluations on three Android builds of 2GIS. One of the tested versions carried the earlier build number 6.30.2.533.6 and had already faced scrutiny by Google Play’s security infrastructure. The goal was to determine whether any of the variants contained harmful code or posed risks to users’ devices and data.
Across all three tested iterations, information security specialists did not observe any malicious software within the analyzed apps. Based on the results, the 2GIS team stated that the application can be downloaded and used without compromising device integrity or user information. This assessment aligns with a cautious stance toward security, emphasizing that installing 2GIS does not introduce threats to devices or personal data when sourced from trusted channels.
Independent security testing services, including VirusTotal, arrived at a similar conclusion. Their analyses indicated no evidence of malicious activity in the Android version of 2GIS or its data-handling practices. The convergence of findings from multiple external assessments strengthens the overall safety profile of the app and supports continued safe usage by users who rely on its navigation features.
Anton Spiridonov, who leads the research and development department at 2GIS, remarked that the checks performed by external institutions confirm the app’s security across its available versions. He added that while the app requests certain permissions to enable its core functionality, these accesses are proportional to the needs of the service and do not represent extraneous data collection or insecure behavior. This framing helps users understand that permission requests are tied to delivering accurate maps, routing, and related services rather than collecting unnecessary information.
In related security discourse, the topic of cybersecurity remains dynamic as new threats emerge and app ecosystems evolve. The sequence of independent verifications for 2GIS demonstrates how security audits—conducted by both internal teams and third-party evaluators—bolster confidence in a mobile application’s integrity. The careful articulation of permission requirements and transparent testing outcomes contributes to an informed user base that can weigh the benefits of practical navigation tools against potential risks.
Historical coverage has occasionally highlighted cyber incidents involving individuals with illicit earnings, such as a recent case in Ukraine where a hacker was detained for illegal activities generating approximately two million dollars. This context underscores the importance of robust security testing for widely used apps, reminding users that the threat landscape extends beyond a single platform and that ongoing scrutiny helps maintain trust in digital tools used daily by millions.