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It's not on an app store.

"The app was not deployed through traditional app stores or even sideloaded using an enterprise certificate. Instead, it was deployed through the TestFairy testing platform, which is similar to Apple’s TestFlight and used predominantly for Android and iOS apps that are not yet finalized."

https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/4/21122737/iowa-democractic-...

IIRC they aren't on the app store. The app was side loaded onto android devices.

An app like this should not be on any app store ever. You want only pre-chosen people to have access to the app. It does no good for anyone else to have access to this and it can hurt.

4 years ago I had the Republican app on my phone. I was the backup reporter just in case the main reporter had problems. Since the main reporter used the app correctly I didn't use it, but I had access to it.

Access to install the app MUST not constitute Access to the system behind the app.

I agree, and there was more security. However access to the app implies the ability to DoS the remote with too many login attempts... Restricting access to the app was just one layer in the security scheme making it a little harder for someone who wanted to mess with the system.