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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
World
Claire Galloway

Android users warned to delete popular app that 'secretly' makes unauthorised purchases

Android users are being warned to delete a popular emoji keyboard app that has been downloaded over 40 million times on devices.

The application, called Ai.type, allows users to customise their on-screen keyboard and claims to help you "type faster and better" .

However, mobile tech company Upstream Systems have found that the app was behind millions of unauthorised mobile purchases for premium digital content.

A report carried out by the technology experts found that many of these purchases had been identified and blocked by the company's anti-fraud system, Secure-D.

The Mirror reports, if they were not blocked, the total number of transactions could have cost users in 13 countries up to $18 million in unwanted charges.

The investigation also found the app had been delivering invisible ads and non-human clicks to its users.

While Ai.type was removed from Google Play Store months ago, millions of users still have the app on their phone - which means it still active and can make sneaky purchases.

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