Is your Realme phone secretly collecting your data? User claims, government orders probe

In the tweet, the Twitter user has also shared a screenshot which shows that the feature is ‘on’ by default on Realme phones. In case you wish to check whether the feature, mentioned by him, is enabled or not on your phone, you can go to Settings>Additional settings>System services.

Now, almost all smartphones and mobile apps have some access to your data like location. They are usually offered under the general argument that it is required to offer better services and experiences to the user. But the user is generally given a choice whether he wishes to share that data or not. The issue becomes a matter of concern if the user is unaware of his/her data being traced without his/her knowledge.

“Realme’s smartphone has a feature (Enhanced Intelligent Services) that captures the user’s data (call logs, SMS, and location info) and it is “On” by default. You can only see this “on” by default feature when you go to Settings -> Additional Settings -> System Services -> Enhanced Intelligent Services. 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 user writes in the tweet.

In the next turn of events, the tweet caught the eye of IT Minister, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who says that he will investigate the matter. “Will hv this tested and checked,” the monster replied to Bagree’s tweet.

Smartphone brand Realme is yet to react to the accusations. But other smartphone users have also reacted to the tweet, spotting the same feature enabled on their phones. “This is by default enabled with One plus phone too,” said one user. “On Oppo Reno too. Found and switched off,” wrote another .

Updated: 18 Jun 2023, 01:42 PM IST