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