Xiaomi Recording ‘Private’ Web and Phone Use

#1

Post by rock_artist » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 7:48 PM UTC

Xiaomi Recording ‘Private’ Web and Phone Use
forbes.com

Re: Xiaomi Recording ‘Private’ Web and Phone Use

#2

Post by mikestew » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 8:11 PM UTC

There's too much to quote, but scroll down to Xiamoi's responses. Man, that is the quintessential example of gaslighting. "No we didn't, that's not true at all. Well, we kinda did, but it's 'anonymized', so it's okay."

"But we have video of your device sending data to..."

"...but, but, anonymized!"

"I thought you said you weren't sending data at all, now it's just anonymized browser data, but we see your devices sending device usage outside the brows..."

"ANONYMIZED!!!!11"

Re: Xiaomi Recording ‘Private’ Web and Phone Use

#3

Post by schoolornot » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 8:23 PM UTC

I recently wiped my factory-unlocked Samsung S20, enabled debug mode, and ran "pm list packages" over ADB. The results were beyond startling. There were close to 100 packages running under com.samsung and other various namespaces with tons of sensitive permissions. Most of these processes I could not identify what they existed for. And I still can't figure out why a freshly wiped unlocked phone w/ a Sprint SIM is running a Verizon provisioning process.

I do not trust any of these Android manufacturers to do right by people. Even the Pixel phones have a "Support" application that has camera permissions -- which last I checked, couldn't be changed regardless of whether you need support or not. What's going to happen when some obscure team within Google pushes an update to this app to do something without user approval?

Re: Xiaomi Recording ‘Private’ Web and Phone Use

#4

Post by 101404 » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 8:41 PM UTC

schoolornot wrote: post #3

I recently wiped my factory-unlocked Samsung S20, enabled debug mode, and ran "pm list packages" over ADB. The results were beyond startling. There were close to 100 packages running under com.samsung and other various namespaces with tons of sensitive permissions. Most of these processes I could not identify what they existed for. And I still can't figure out why a freshly wiped unlocked phone w/ a Sprint SIM is run…

I wonder if it is illegal under GDPR to include spying apps on phones without telling the user.

Re: Xiaomi Recording ‘Private’ Web and Phone Use

#5

Post by curiousgal » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 9:30 PM UTC

schoolornot wrote: post #3

I recently wiped my factory-unlocked Samsung S20, enabled debug mode, and ran "pm list packages" over ADB. The results were beyond startling. There were close to 100 packages running under com.samsung and other various namespaces with tons of sensitive permissions. Most of these processes I could not identify what they existed for. And I still can't figure out why a freshly wiped unlocked phone w/ a Sprint SIM is run…

This is why I root my device and only allow apps I trust internet access.

Re: Xiaomi Recording ‘Private’ Web and Phone Use

#6

Post by 0xy » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 9:34 PM UTC

mikestew wrote: post #2

There's too much to quote, but scroll down to Xiamoi's responses. Man, that is the quintessential example of gaslighting. "No we didn't, that's not true at all. Well, we kinda did, but it's 'anonymized', so it's okay." "But we have video of your device sending data to..." "...but, but, anonymized!" "I thought you said you weren't sending data at all, now it's just anonymized browser data, but we see your devices send…

There's no such thing as anonymized when it comes to data tracking. "Anonymized" tracking itself is gaslighting.

Re: Xiaomi Recording ‘Private’ Web and Phone Use

#7

Post by throwaway9587 » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 9:37 PM UTC

Before you go shaming those bad, bad Chinese companies, imagine my surprise when I restored my Apple iPhone from iCloud only to find my (always set to private!) Safari back there with every tab I ever opened.

Re: Xiaomi Recording ‘Private’ Web and Phone Use

#8

Post by bottled_poe » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 9:37 PM UTC

This is surprising? I thought this was a feature.

Re: Xiaomi Recording ‘Private’ Web and Phone Use

#9

Post by 0xy » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 9:37 PM UTC

schoolornot wrote: post #3

I recently wiped my factory-unlocked Samsung S20, enabled debug mode, and ran "pm list packages" over ADB. The results were beyond startling. There were close to 100 packages running under com.samsung and other various namespaces with tons of sensitive permissions. Most of these processes I could not identify what they existed for. And I still can't figure out why a freshly wiped unlocked phone w/ a Sprint SIM is run…

I get a very uneasy feeling using Samsung's products because their privacy record is atrocious, they cram ads everywhere on flagship devices and the quality of their software is just mediocre.

Unfortunately, Android has emerged as the tracking and advertising platform. Look at every single Android TV on the market, they're privacy-invading garbage and such practices are explicitly enabled and encouraged by Google.

Re: Xiaomi Recording ‘Private’ Web and Phone Use

#10

Post by qppo » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 9:43 PM UTC

The fucking huevos on Forbes to publish this article alongside the most godawful CCPA opt-out flow I've seen yet...

Clicking the "do not sell my info" link takes you to a page where it asks you for your personal information to request to opt out... with the fine print telling you that you can actually opt out by going back to the previous dialog, selecting more info, then selecting one of the three cookie sections (which is not labeled "do not sell my info" or anything similar). There's then a timer where it takes about a minute to update the cookie preferences.

I know Forbes has turned into a glorified blogging site for "journalists" these days but come on. Talking about privacy and misleading information on the same site that makes you jump through hoops to remain anonymous while browsing? Pot calling the kettle black much.