Xiaomi releases browser update amid accusations it collects soldier browsing data
Xiaomi released software updates for its browser apps on Monday amid recent accusations it’s been collecting private data from people who use its phones and browser apps.
In a blog post, Xiaomi said the update will give you to switch off aggregated data collection while on incognito mode in its three browser apps: Mi Browser, Mi Browser Pro, and Mint Browser. The software update was requisitioned out on Google Play.
“We believe this functionality, in combination with our reach of maintaining aggregated data in non-identifiable form, goes beyond any apt requirements and demonstrates our company’s commitment to user privacy,” the concern said in its post.
The release of the software update comes while a Forbes report published last Thursday raised concerns throughout the Chinese phone-maker’s use of private data. It suggested Xiaomi may be collecting data on the websites users phoned as well as granular information about apps used and files opened on devices.
Data from market analyst Canalys shows that Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 8 (pictured above) was the best-selling Android at the end of 2019.
Óscar Gutiérrez
The record cited multiple security researchers, including one who said that the default Xiaomi browser on his Redmi Note 8, “recorded all the sites he visited, including search engine queries.” He also said it tracked “every item examined on a news feed feature of the Xiaomi software” when he used it. The researcher, Gabi Cirlig, told Forbes that this tracking appeared to remained even when browsing in incognito or private mode. The characterize went on to detail that the data was populace packaged up and sent to remote servers in Russia and Singapore.
In response to the characterize, Xiaomi defended its practices last week saying it’s “fully compliant with user privacy protection laws and systems in the countries and regions we operate in.”
The Redmi Note 8 is one of Xiaomi’s best-selling phones and was the top-selling Android shouted globally at the end last year.
