Wired
A feature has been found on the mobile device of the Chinese brand Xiaomi to detect and censor specific keywords such as “Free Tibet,” “Long live Taiwan independence,” and “democracy movement.” Announced by the Tibetan state-owned cyber security agency. In response, the Lithuanian government has advised the public to dispose of their current Chinese-branded mobile phones and not buy new devices in the future, Reuters reports.
Has the software ever been turned on?
According to media reports, the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G was found to have the ability to detect and censor specific keywords related to China’s sovereignty. The software in question doesn’t seem to be working within the European Union (EU), but it can be launched at any time, according to a report by the Lithuanian state-owned cybersecurity agency.
“We recommend that you do not buy new Chinese-made mobile phones and dispose of those you have already purchased as soon as possible,” Margiris Abkevisius, Deputy Defense Minister, said in a report.
Xiaomi repels report
In response to a report that the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G has censorship capabilities, Xiaomi said, “We have and will continue to search, call, browse the web, use third-party communications software, and more personally for our smartphone users. We do not limit or block our behavior, “he said in a statement.
According to the report, Xiaomi is sending encrypted phone usage data for mobile phones to Singapore’s servers, which could violate the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
“Xiaomi complies with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation,” said a Xiaomi spokeswoman.
Recently, relations between Lithuania and China have deteriorated. China said it would demand Lithuania to withdraw Beijing’s ambassador and recall the special envoy of the capital Vilnius after Taiwan announced last month that it would call the Lithuanian delegation a “Taiwan delegation.”
Source: The Guardian, Reuters
(lexi)
Source: iPhone Mania