A nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing human rights in digital spaces across West Asia and North Africa — is warning that Israeli-linked software secretly embedded in Samsung phones across the MENA region poses a serious surveillance threat.

According to SMEX, Samsung’s A and M series devices either come preloaded with the app “Aura” or install it automatically through system updates, without the user’s consent. The application reportedly collects a wide range of personal and device-specific data, including IP addresses, device fingerprints, hardware details, and network information.

​​In 2022, Samsung MENA partnered with Israeli tech company IronSource, integrating its Aura software into Galaxy A and M series phones across the region. The partnership was publicly marketed as a way to “enhance user experience” with AI-powered apps and content suggestions.

  • eldavi@lemmy.ml
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    20 hours ago

    go visit your local t-mobile or at&t store and ask them about puting an unlocked chinese branded phone on their network.

    • Auli@lemmy.ca
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      12 hours ago

      Just throw your SIM card in it why would I have to talk to the carriers.

      • eldavi@lemmy.ml
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        9 hours ago

        The phone won’t get a signal w the SIM card and the stores are the only people the carriers have shared this information with.

    • rmrf@lemmy.ml
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      19 hours ago

      I’m sending comment this from a T-Mobile plan using an unlocked OnePlus 9 pro my friend, hence my question.

      • eldavi@lemmy.ml
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        19 hours ago

        that’s the one loophole in this effort to black list chinese branded phones; that non-chinese brands that use the same hardware are allowed on their networks and, until recently, i was looking for an oppo or oneplus that could leverage this loophole.

        you’re fucked if you try to use a xiaomi or huawei or any other chinese brand that doesn’t share hardware w non-chinese brands like i have been doing for the last few years.

        • Coleslaw4145@lemmy.world
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          3 hours ago

          What hardware are you talking about? Xiaomi phones use Qualcomm chips just like Oneplus and most other brands.