Did CamScanner ever have malware?

Yes. In August 2019, Kaspersky Lab discovered that CamScanner's Android app contained the Necro trojan — a malicious dropper hidden inside a third-party advertising library. Google removed the app from Play Store immediately. INTSIG released a clean update on September 5, 2019, and no confirmed malware has appeared in the app since then.

Is CamScanner a Chinese app?

Yes. CamScanner is developed by INTSIG Information Co., Ltd., headquartered in Shanghai, China. Under China's National Intelligence Law (2017), INTSIG is required to cooperate with government data requests — meaning documents you upload to CamScanner's cloud could potentially be accessed by Chinese authorities.

Is CamScanner banned in India?

Yes. India banned CamScanner in June 2020 as part of a block on 59 Chinese apps, citing concerns about unauthorized data transmission to overseas servers. The ban remains in effect. A 2024 investigation found that Indian government agencies were still using the app despite the prohibition.

Is CamScanner safe for sensitive documents?

No. CamScanner is not HIPAA compliant, refuses to sign Business Associate Agreements, may store your documents on servers in China, and has a documented history of integrating third-party code that contained malware. For medical records, legal contracts, tax forms, or IDs, use an app with on-device processing and a clear privacy policy.

Why does CamScanner need location and microphone permissions?

CamScanner has no documented core-scanning reason to access your location or microphone. Location data is used for ad geo-targeting through third-party advertising SDKs. The microphone permission is likely tied to voice annotation features added in recent versions, but CamScanner provides no explicit explanation in its documentation — a meaningful transparency gap.

Is CamScanner Safe? What Its Permissions Actually Do

CamScanner has 700 million downloads — and a 2019 malware incident, 13 ad-tracking SDKs, and servers potentially in China. Here's what each permission actually does, what the privacy policy really commits to, and whether the app is safe to use in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did CamScanner ever have malware?: Yes. In August 2019, Kaspersky Lab discovered that CamScanner's Android app contained the Necro trojan — a malicious dropper hidden inside a third-party advertising library. Google removed the app from Play Store immediately. INTSIG released a clean update on September 5, 2019, and no confirmed malware has appeared in the app since then.
Is CamScanner a Chinese app?: Yes. CamScanner is developed by INTSIG Information Co., Ltd., headquartered in Shanghai, China. Under China's National Intelligence Law (2017), INTSIG is required to cooperate with government data requests — meaning documents you upload to CamScanner's cloud could potentially be accessed by Chinese authorities.
Is CamScanner banned in India?: Yes. India banned CamScanner in June 2020 as part of a block on 59 Chinese apps, citing concerns about unauthorized data transmission to overseas servers. The ban remains in effect. A 2024 investigation found that Indian government agencies were still using the app despite the prohibition.
Is CamScanner safe for sensitive documents?: No. CamScanner is not HIPAA compliant, refuses to sign Business Associate Agreements, may store your documents on servers in China, and has a documented history of integrating third-party code that contained malware. For medical records, legal contracts, tax forms, or IDs, use an app with on-device processing and a clear privacy policy.
Why does CamScanner need location and microphone permissions?: CamScanner has no documented core-scanning reason to access your location or microphone. Location data is used for ad geo-targeting through third-party advertising SDKs. The microphone permission is likely tied to voice annotation features added in recent versions, but CamScanner provides no explicit explanation in its documentation — a meaningful transparency gap.