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.
Incredible. We have reached the point where it feels safer buying a random Chinese phone than Samsung or other “big brands”.
they got rid of that choice for you: the american carriers has pre-complied with trump by blacklisting all chinese phones based on their imea numbers; it no longer matters that it’s technologically feasible for it to work in the united states. so now, if you want premium phone quality but 1/3rd the price; you must buy an american brand and the full price tag.
you don’t have anything the chinese gov’t wants, so they don’t care about keeping tabs on you. also buying into the propaganda that they’re tryping to keep tabs on your carries with it the implicit acceptance that you’re okay with the american gov’t keeping tabs on you.
Your first point seems made up and I couldn’t quickly find a source for it; do you have one that I couldn’t find?