- The official White House app requests access to precise and approximate location, push notifications, biometric hardware, shared storage, and full network access, among other permissions on Android.
- Under the Presidential Records Act, the White House retains information until the end of the current administration, and information you share with the White House may be treated as public.
- The app uses encryption in transit to protect data, but users should review the full privacy policy and adjust their phone's permission settings before installing any government app.
What Is the White House App?
On March 27, 2026, the White House officially launched a new mobile application available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. The app is designed to deliver real-time updates, push notifications, live video streams, a media library, and a direct feedback feature that lets users send messages to the administration.
The administration describes the app as a way to receive breaking news on executive actions, watch briefings and speeches as they happen, and stay connected to policy updates. It is a free download and does not require an account to browse content, though certain interactive features like submitting feedback may require you to provide personal information.
This guide is not about politics. It is a technical breakdown of what the app requests from your phone, what data is collected, and what the published privacy policy says about how that data is stored and shared. These are the same questions you should ask before installing any app on your device.
What Permissions Does the White House App Request?
Below is the complete list of permissions that The White House app (version 47.0.0 on Android) may request access to at the time of installation. These are pulled directly from the Google Play permissions manifest. On Android, many of these permissions are granted automatically when you install the app. You can manually disable some of them afterward in your phone's Settings.
Location
- Access precise location only in the foreground
- Access approximate location only in the foreground
Storage
- Modify or delete the contents of your shared storage
Notifications
- Show notifications
- Read badge notifications
Network and Connectivity
- Have full network access
- Receive data from the internet
- View network connections
- View Wi-Fi connections
Device and System Access
- Run at startup
- Run foreground service
- This app can appear on top of other apps
- Prevent phone from sleeping
- Control vibration
- Google Play license check
Biometrics
- Use fingerprint hardware
- Use biometric hardware
What These Permissions Mean in Plain Language
Location access means the app can request your GPS coordinates while the app is open. Run at startup means the app can launch background processes automatically when you power on your phone. Appear on top of other apps (also called draw overlay) is an elevated permission that allows the app to display content over whatever else you are using, often for floating notifications or pop-ups. Run foreground service lets the app perform tasks visibly in the background, such as streaming content. Modify or delete shared storage gives the app write access to files in your device's shared storage. Biometric hardware access suggests the app may support fingerprint or face authentication for certain features. Prevent phone from sleeping keeps your screen active while the app is in use, which is common for apps with live video playback.
A Note on Location Permissions vs. the Privacy Policy
The White House privacy policy states that the mobile application "does not collect geolocation information or use location services." However, the Android permissions manifest for version 47.0.0 includes both precise and approximate foreground location access. This is a discrepancy worth noting. The permissions list shows what the app's code is technically capable of requesting from your device. The privacy policy describes what the developer says it actually does with that data. It is possible the location permission is bundled through a third-party SDK or framework and is not actively used, but users should be aware it is declared in the app's manifest. You can deny or revoke location access at any time in your phone's settings without affecting the app's core content.
What Data Does the App Collect?
The White House receives aggregate (non-individual) usage data from a third-party analytics provider, currently Google Analytics. This includes general information like how many people opened the app and basic engagement metrics. The privacy policy notes that Google Analytics does not receive personally identifiable information through these tools, and that IP masking is enabled to limit the analytics provider's ability to see your full IP address.
The White House also receives aggregate data from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. This includes download counts and general mobile setup information such as device model, app version, country, language, and mobile carrier. This type of data is standard across nearly all mobile apps distributed through those platforms.
If you choose to use the app's feedback feature and submit a message, name, email address, or any other personal information, that data is collected directly by the White House. According to the privacy policy, the White House may use that information to respond to you, contact you, or provide you with requested services.
How Is Your Data Shared?
This is one of the more important sections of the privacy policy to understand. The White House states plainly that information you choose to share with the White House, whether directly or through third-party platforms, may be treated as public information. For example, the White House may publish compilations of messages or comments and share them with national leaders, members of the press, or other individuals outside of the federal government.
The policy notes that the White House exercises discretion to limit these disclosures to protect privacy, such as generally not publishing last names of commenters. However, the key word is "discretion." There is no hard rule guaranteeing that your feedback will remain private.
Within the White House, access to personally identifiable information is restricted to employees, contractors, and vendors who are subject to non-disclosure requirements. In some cases, the White House may share information with other government agencies in response to lawful law enforcement requests or to protect WhiteHouse.gov from security threats.
Data Retention: How Long Is Your Information Kept?
The data retention policy is governed by the Presidential Records Act (PRA). Under the PRA, the White House is generally required to retain information until the end of the current administration. At that point, records are transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
NARA may eventually release these records to the public, though it will withhold any information that would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Public access to these records can be requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) five years after the current administration ends.
For cookies tied to email subscribers, the White House privacy policy describes a Tier 3 use under the Office of Management and Budget's framework. This means the White House may connect cookie data showing that a subscriber clicked a link in an email to a subsequent action on the White House website. This is the only scenario in the policy where cookie data is explicitly linked to an individual user, and it only applies to users who have opted in to email subscriptions.
What You Should Know Before Installing Any Government App
The considerations below apply to any government-issued mobile app, not just this one.
Review the Privacy Policy First
Before installing, read the published privacy policy. For the White House app, the full policy is available at whitehouse.gov/privacy. Look specifically at the sections on data sharing, data retention, and what happens with information you voluntarily submit.
Check App Permissions on Your Device
Both iOS and Android let you review and control what permissions an app has after installation. Go to your phone's Settings, find the app, and review its permissions. You can revoke access to notifications, camera, microphone, location, or any other permission at any time without uninstalling the app.
Understand the Difference Between Aggregate and Personal Data
Aggregate data means general statistics like how many people used the app on a given day. Personal data means information tied to you specifically, like your name, email, or the content of a message you submitted. The White House app primarily collects aggregate data passively. Personal data is only collected when you actively provide it, such as by submitting feedback.
Know That the Presidential Records Act Applies
Any information you submit through a White House platform is subject to federal records law. This is different from a commercial app where you can typically request data deletion. Under the PRA, records are preserved for historical purposes and eventually transferred to the National Archives.
Use a Separate Email If You Want to Limit Exposure
If you plan to submit feedback or sign up for email updates through the app, consider using an email address that is not tied to your primary personal or work accounts. This is a general best practice when interacting with any platform where your submissions may be treated as public records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the White House app free to download?
Yes. The official White House app is available as a free download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. There are no in-app purchases or subscription fees required to access its content.
Does the White House app track my location?
The White House privacy policy states that the app does not collect geolocation information or use location services. However, the Android permissions manifest for version 47.0.0 includes both precise and approximate foreground location access. This means the app's code is technically capable of requesting your location while the app is open, even though the privacy policy says it does not use this data. Users can deny or revoke location access in their phone's settings at any time.
What data does the White House app share with third parties?
The app shares aggregate usage data with Google Analytics, which is the same analytics platform used by millions of websites and apps. Google Analytics does not receive personally identifiable information through the White House's implementation, and IP masking is enabled. The app store platforms (Apple and Google) also receive standard download and device metadata.
Can the White House share my feedback publicly?
Yes. The White House privacy policy states that information shared with the White House directly or through third-party platforms may be treated as public information. The White House says it uses discretion to protect privacy, such as not publishing full names, but there is no absolute guarantee that submitted feedback will remain private.
How long does the White House keep my data?
Under the Presidential Records Act, information is generally retained until the end of the current administration and then transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration. NARA may release records to the public, subject to privacy protections, and FOIA requests can be made five years after an administration ends.
Can I delete my data from the White House app?
The White House privacy policy does not describe a self-service data deletion process. Because federal records are governed by the Presidential Records Act rather than commercial privacy laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the right-to-delete provisions that apply to private companies generally do not apply here. You can contact the White House through its website if you have privacy concerns.
Is it safe to install the White House app on my phone?
The app uses encryption in transit (SSL) to protect data moving between your device and White House servers. Its data collection is primarily aggregate-level analytics, though the Android version does declare location and biometric permissions in its manifest. Review the full permissions list in this article, read the privacy policy, and only share personal information you are comfortable potentially becoming part of the public record. You can revoke any permission in your phone's settings after installation.
