https://apnews.com/67165c626c35ab0cca1ef9cbf6cea274

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The co-creator of a video and voice calling app suspected of being a spying tool of the United Arab Emirates defended his work in an interview with The Associated Press and denied knowing that people and companies linked to the project had ties to the country's intelligence apparatus.

Millions downloaded the ToTok app during the several months it was offered in the Apple and Google stores. Co-founder Giacomo Ziani described the popularity as a sign of users' trust despite a longtime ban in the UAE on such apps.