Copenhagen, January 22, 2026, 11:54 CET
- A Danish app that scans barcodes to encourage shoppers to skip US products has seen a sharp rise in downloads within Denmark.
- The creator says the tool aims to clarify product origins amid growing tensions over Greenland.
- The backlash is now reaching public events and influencing consumer decisions outside Denmark, raising questions about the real effectiveness of boycotts.
A Danish barcode-scanning app designed to help shoppers steer clear of US products has surged up Denmark’s App Store charts recently, amid rising tensions over Greenland sparking calls to boycott American goods.
This surge highlights just how fast geopolitical tensions can influence everyday purchases. It also draws attention to the true origins of products in a market where major brands might be headquartered in one country, manufactured in another, and sold worldwide.
Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, has become a flashpoint after President Donald Trump revived efforts to seize control of it, shaking Danish politics and stirring public backlash that includes calls to boycott US-linked products and services.
Appfigures data revealed that NonUSA and Made O’Meter cracked Denmark’s App Store top 10, with average daily downloads soaring 867% compared to the prior week.
UdenUSA — also known as NonUSA — was created by 21-year-old Danish coder Jonas Pipper, who felt shoppers needed “more clarity” about where products come from and the freedom to choose. But Danske Bank economist Louise Aggerstrøm Hansen cautioned that global supply chains complicate straightforward boycotts. She pointed out that only 1.2% of Danish food is directly sourced from the US, while many US-branded goods are actually produced under license in Denmark. Behavioural scientist Pelle Guldborg Hansen told The Irish Times that people boycott to “do something with your anger,” even if their impact is limited.
The sentiment has spread across Europe. In Brussels, Facebook groups and Reddit forums are sharing lists of alternatives, while apps like “Detrumpify Yourself,” created by French developer Sacha Montel, highlight brands connected to US ownership or investment—not just where products are made, The Brussels Times reported. The outlet tested the app in a Carrefour store and found many processed foods linked to US capital. Côte d’Or chocolate came up as an example, since it’s owned by US-based Mondelēz International.
Turning a boycott into actual economic pressure isn’t straightforward. In Brussels, some consumers doubted its political impact, while others pointed to cost and convenience as barriers. Even supporters admitted it’s tough to swap out everyday digital tools like maps and social media for non-US options.
The Wall Street Journal revealed that Danish tech advisers are pushing Copenhagen to favor European tech firms over their US counterparts. Meanwhile, Aalborg’s mayor has warned they might withdraw backing for the annual July 4 event organized by a Danish-American friendship group.
At this point, it’s unclear how much damage US brands will take in Denmark. Economists warn that tangled ownership and supply chains complicate any straightforward boycott. But the surge in scanning apps highlights a new reality: politics are now being counted at the register, one barcode after another.
