After revealing that Xiaomi’s MIUI software discreetly uploads user data without informing its users, software security firm F-Secure has now confirmed that the latest MIUI update has fixed the issue.
The company conducted its test on the same Xiaomi Redmi 1S device that was found to ping a server in Beijing without the owner’s knowledge. After installing the new OTA update, which makes MIUI Cloud Messaging optional, the security firm concluded that no user data – or any data, for that matter – was being sent out from the device.
In addition, F-Secure also confirmed that Xiaomi has now added an encryption layer to all data that is being sent to its servers, which addressed another issue that many criticised Xiaomi over.
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Earlier this week, Xiaomi pushed out an OTA update to all users of its popular MIUI software, an Android-based ROM that runs on all Xiaomi devices and is also available to be flashed on other Android phones, after F-Secure raised plenty of questions after its test revealed that a Xiaomi phone was pinging a server in Beijing before uploading sensitive data such as the user’s phone number, the phone IMEI number as well as phone numbers in the user’s contact list – all without the user’s knowledge.
Xiaomi Global VP Hugo Barra has since explained that this was due to MIUI Cloud Messaging – an iMessage-like service that required the information in order to run the service. After the update, MIUI Cloud Messaging is now an opt-in service, requiring users to explicitly agree to the terms – which includes uploads of sensitive data mentioned earlier – before using the service. Barra also issued an apology for all users for not being clear over the matter.
(Source: F-Secure)
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