[Updated] Evidence raises privacy/security concerns on NightOwl app; here's how to uninstall it from your Mac

New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on August 10, 2023) follows:

If you are a Mac user who has installed the ‘NightOwl’ app, you might want to uninstall it from your computer.

Since its inception in 2018, NightOwl offered an alternative to the built-in macOS automatic mode. It enables users to switch between light and dark modes according to their preferences.

However, some recent developments have tarnished the app’s reputation, raising concerns about user privacy and security.

In late 2022, a significant change occurred behind NightOwl’s operations as ‘TPE.FYI LLC’ acquired the app.

According to a blog post by Robin, this company has allegedly updated the app to include a hidden feature that forcibly joins your devices into a botnet for the use of market research without your knowledge or consent.

He discovered that a single entity was covertly incorporating their devices into a botnet, a network of compromised devices.

This unsuspecting integration allowed the botnet’s owner, TPE.FYI LLC, to apparently utilize users’ devices for market research purposes. Of course, this happens without their knowledge or explicit consent.

The botnet integration was seemingly disguised within the app’s terms of service, buried in small text on the download page.

WHEREAS, NightOwl app enables Users to share internet traffic by modifying their device’s network settings to be used as a gateway for internet traffic. Additionally, the User’s device acts as a gateway for NightOwl app’s Clients, including companies that specialize in web and market research, SEO, brand protection, content delivery, cybersecurity, etc.
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Consequently, the vast majority of users remained unaware of the invasive nature of the changes.

Even more concerning is the fact that the intrusive feature cannot be disabled, leaving users helpless even when they quit the application.

PiunikaWeb hasn’t independently verified all claims from the blog post cited here. So we’d suggest taking the information with a grain of salt.

If you have the app installed, follow these steps in Terminal, regardless of whether it’s currently open or running.

sudo killall NightOwl
launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/NightOwlUpdater.plist
sudo killall AutoUpdate
sudo rm -rf /Applications/NightOwl.app/ ~/Library/LaunchAgents/NightOwlUpdater.plist
sudo zsh -c “rm /Users/*/Library/LaunchAgents/NightOwlUpdater.plist”
Source

By clandestinely enlisting numerous devices into a botnet, TPE.FYI LLC purportedly gains access to a trove of personal data, potentially compromising sensitive information.

Furthermore, exploiting users’ devices for market research purposes disregards the principles of informed consent and transparency.

Users have the right to know how their data is utilized and should have the option to opt out of such arrangements if they choose so.

But before jumping to conclusions, we’ll have to wait for a statement from the company itself and hope they’re able to clear the air with what’s actually going on.

10:55 am (IST): NightOwl reached out to us with a statement regarding the situation. Here’s what they have to say:

NightOwl does not contain any form of malware. The concerns raised in the article are based on a mistaken identification, and we are actively working with all major antivirus companies to resolve this false positive.

The statement addresses claims from users who’ve also been reporting that the anti-virus function on their Macs have begun flagging the app and removing it.

During our own research, we discovered that the NightOwl is currently unavailable for download via the official website.

12:42 pm (IST): Renowned Linus Tech Tips on YouTube is also recommending people not to use NightOwl program.

Note: We have more such stories in our dedicated Apple Section so be sure to follow them as well.

PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.