Cybersecurity and technology experts in Egypt have warned about the spread of so-called “pay-to-watch” applications. These apps are promoted on social media as an easy way to earn income in dollars by watching videos or “reels” and downloading electronic games. Experts confirm that these applications represent a form of fraud and deception targeting young people.
Advertisements for these apps spread under attractive titles like “Watch and Earn,” requiring only a smartphone and an internet connection, with promises of quick financial profits. However, experts confirm that what seems like a simple job opportunity is nothing more than a method to lure users with fake profits and impossible conditions that ultimately prevent them from withdrawing any money.
A number of these applications, such as “Opinions,” “Watch Me Now,” and “One One,” rely on a similar deception mechanism. They allow virtual profits to accumulate until the user reaches the withdrawal threshold, only to then be surprised by nearly impossible conditions to achieve it.
Some applications, for example, require inviting dozens or even hundreds of people to register via the user’s link after reaching the withdrawal limit. The “Opinions” app was previously deleted from the Google Play store after receiving a large number of complaints and accusations of fraud, as it required inviting 100 people after reaching a withdrawal limit of $150.
These applications cannot be considered a real job or a guaranteed source of income. It is crucial to deal with them with extreme caution and not be swayed by the idea of easy profit from merely watching videos or playing electronic games.
A special warning was directed to young people, urging them not to believe claims of earning profits from the internet without real effort. The internet is a tool to facilitate work, not a substitute for it, and real digital jobs require clear skills and effort.
Separately, a software and artificial intelligence expert warned that some of these applications could be a cover for more dangerous activities. A number of them request sensitive permissions, such as access to the camera, microphone, contacts, and phone data.
Granting these permissions could expose users to the risk of having their personal data stolen, including their social media accounts and electronic payment app details, and in some cases even their banking app data. This opens the door to blackmail or financial fraud.
Some users may later discover that what they thought were dollar earnings was merely a way to trap them and steal their accounts or money. Major app stores like Google Play and the App Store have already deleted a number of these applications after receiving widespread complaints.
Real digital jobs should be linked to clear effort, such as marketing, programming, or participating in surveys for known companies, not just watching content or playing electronic games.
It was also noted that some “pay-to-watch” applications are used as a gateway to online gambling apps. Some platforms promote other applications within them, such as an app known as “The Chicken,” where the user is tempted to use their fake profits for gambling before entering a series of consecutive losses.
A final warning emphasized that these applications rely on studied psychological methods to push users to pump real money in after the first loss. This can turn a job seeker into a victim of fraud or gambling addiction. Caution is urged, and any suspicious applications should be reported.
