Xiaomi's Redmi Note allegedly sending user data to China surreptitiously
At least one device from upstart Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has been found to transmit user data -- including SMS messages and photos -- back to servers in mainland China without the user's permission, according to reports from Hong Kong.
A screenshot showing outgoing data connections to a Beijing IP address.
While testing Xiaomi's Redmi Note handset, Kenny Li of Hong Kong forum IMA Mobile discovered that the device continued to make connections with IP addresses in Beijing even after switching off the company's iCloud-like MiCloud service. The transmissions occur only over Wi-Fi, though the device does stay in contact with the servers via small "handshakes" while using cellular data.
Li says that data transmission persists even after erasing and re-flashing the handset with a different Android ROM, suggesting that the functionality could be built in to the phone's firmware.
It remains unclear whether this is the handset's intended mode of operation or if it is the result of a software glitch, as Xiaomi has yet to respond to the allegations. The company has previously said that it will store customer data in China, but only after the user opts in.
While attention has been focused on American technology companies in the wake of Edward Snowden's spying revelations, Chinese companies have also come under the microscope in recent years. Chinese telecom giants -- and Xiaomi competitors -- Huawei and ZTE were called out as "national security risks" in a 2012 report from the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, though both denied having cooperating with the Chinese government.
A screenshot showing outgoing data connections to a Beijing IP address.
While testing Xiaomi's Redmi Note handset, Kenny Li of Hong Kong forum IMA Mobile discovered that the device continued to make connections with IP addresses in Beijing even after switching off the company's iCloud-like MiCloud service. The transmissions occur only over Wi-Fi, though the device does stay in contact with the servers via small "handshakes" while using cellular data.
Li says that data transmission persists even after erasing and re-flashing the handset with a different Android ROM, suggesting that the functionality could be built in to the phone's firmware.
It remains unclear whether this is the handset's intended mode of operation or if it is the result of a software glitch, as Xiaomi has yet to respond to the allegations. The company has previously said that it will store customer data in China, but only after the user opts in.
While attention has been focused on American technology companies in the wake of Edward Snowden's spying revelations, Chinese companies have also come under the microscope in recent years. Chinese telecom giants -- and Xiaomi competitors -- Huawei and ZTE were called out as "national security risks" in a 2012 report from the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, though both denied having cooperating with the Chinese government.
Comments
This is nothing new, the fingers are just now being pointed to US companies, working on behalf the federal government.
The company has previously said that it will store customer data in China, but only after the user opts in.
Apparently opting in consists in using the handset.
this is why I'll never buy a Chinese brand phone
Or a Chinese or Korean smart TV.
Actually it's hard to use any electronics these days without someone tracking every step you take and every tap you make.
I'm going to stick with my old fashioned dumb appliances, thermostats, etc.
Actually it's hard to use any electronics these days without someone tracking every step you take and every tap you make.
This is correct. Did you know, for instance, that every digital copier --made largely in Asia, by Asian companies -- contains a hard drive that stores the cover page of every copy that is made!? See, for example, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/digital-photocopiers-loaded-with-secrets/
Chinese telecom giants -- and Xiaomi competitors -- Huawei and ZTE were called out as "national security risks" in a 2012 report ...
Europeans: totally paranoid of any and all government and corporate spying.
Americans: outraged by government spying, somewhat annoyed by Google and other corporate spying.
Chinese: completely accustomed to constant government spying and corporate spying.
So what does that tell you about Chinese phones and Chinese Android hacks?
this is why I'll never buy a Chinese brand phone
or car, or any product! Today, I'm proudly saying that I'm Chinese made product free...yup. Nothing in my house is made in China...maybe "Assembled" in China still sticks with me for awhile...lol.
I don't don't know if the Chinese citizens are accustomed to it as the govt controls the media.
Still, this is probably the only original idea for them.
That includes software from torrent sites, not to mention jailbreaking tools.
LOL In Russia, the spies worry about privacy issues.
China, US, EU. What amazes me is that people are surprised that governments are spying on them.
I think a much more interesting question is why are governments spying?
There is a big difference between on Chinese Brand vs Made in China (Assembled)
...it's all about controlling the masses
Governments already have control. Controlling the masses is what they were elected to do. They pass and enforce laws. Control does not explain spying. Why would the US spy on both friendly and adversarial countries? It can't be for control of the masses because they are citizens of a different country. Your explanation uses way too much tin foil.
Android: free and open. Android vendors are "free" to exploit your now "open" personal information. What's not to love? THANKS GOOGLE!
There is a big difference between on Chinese Brand vs Made in China (Assembled)
I would say small difference for Chinese brand vs Made in China. Chinese brands are designed by Chinese companies while Made in China brand are foreign companies's design, but built by Chinese companies and had QC checked following foreign companies' standards (sh..t everything can be bribed in China...so what's different?).
Made in China is not equal Assembled in China. Made in China means parts (not all) are also made by Chinese companies while Assembled in China means parts imported from others.
Made in China is not equal Assembled in China. Made in China means parts (not all) are also made by Chinese companies while Assembled in China means parts imported from others.
Are you sure? I seem to recall customs documents saying all they care about is where the majority of the assembly occurs. Those documents were to explain why you can't build a light fixture in India, slap a shade on it in Vancouver and call it "Made in Canada" so maybe it's not relevant.
I've always had the impression that "Assembled in..." is MarketingSpeak with no actual legal definition, that companies like Apple use the phrase in an attempt to sway perception of the product as being better because the design work was done somewhere else. (Why a product designed in California would automatically be better than one designed in, I dunno, Taiwan, strikes me as hitting a jingoistic drum, but that's not really the point.)
Anyway, are you sure there's an actual, defined distinction between "Made in..." and "Assembled in...?"