Realme is introducing a new software update which will disable enhanced intelligent services on select models.
Collecting personal information
The company was accused of collecting user data including SMS, Phone calls, location info and more without user consent.
It collects various personal information in an effort to enhance user experience.
The update
The Realme 11 Pro and the Realme 11 Pro+ have started receiving a software patch that automatically disables the service without requiring any user intervention.
The update also changes the definition, and it no longer says it collects call logs and SMS messages.
How it was discovered
YouTuber TrakinTech had created a video explaining that the enhanced intelligent services are enabled by default on Realme smartphones.
A screenshot from the video was shared on Twitter.
In the tweet, the user also pointed out that the permission to collect this data under this feature is “On” by default.
Shared on social media
He wrote, “Indian users are kept in dark to share their data without their consent. This is basically forced consent, since it’s on by default. Is this data being sent to China?”
The tweet caught the attention of Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
After an investigation it was found that even Oppo and OnePlus phones had enabled enhanced intelligent services by default.
Realme’s statement
Realme issued an official statement, saying it is “strictly in compliance with Android security mechanisms”.
It went on to say, “All data processed in this service is encrypted and stored in encrypted hardware within the user’s device strictly in compliance with Android security mechanisms.
This data is completely stored within the device and is not shared anywhere else or uploaded on the cloud.
We place great emphasis on user privacy protection, the enhanced intelligent services feature can be manually turned on or off basis the needs of the consumers. The company complies with the local laws and regulations.”
The statement also clarified that they do not connect any data on SMS, phone calls, schedules, etc., contrary to the current description.
