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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    2 months ago

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

    • rmrf@lemmy.ml
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      2 months ago

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