Why did the Lithuanian government warn against using Chinese mobile phones

This warning came as a result of a report by the National Cyber ​​Security Center of Lithuania, which conducted tests on several mobile phone models.

The researchers determined that the device made by Xiaomi has some terminology and word control functions built into the operating system.

Another model, produced by Huawei, may be vulnerable to cyber attacks.

According to the report of Lithuanian experts, the Mi 10T 5G smartphone, which is the flagship of Xiaomi, has software that can detect and monitor terms such as “Free Tibet”, “Long live Taiwan independence” or “democratic movement”.

In the document, it was also confirmed that more than 440 terms can be monitored by applications installed on the device, including the default Internet browser.

In Europe, the feature to censor phrases or words on the smartphone has been turned off, but the report says it can be re-enabled remotely at any time.

Until closing this report, Xiaomi had not responded to the BBC’s request for answers and comments on the matter.

The authors of the investigation also found that the Chinese company’s device was transmitting encrypted phone usage data to a server located in Singapore.

“This is important not only for Lithuania, but for all countries that use Xiaomi equipment,” those responsible for the report added.

The smartphone maker has become popular recently after providing a number of affordable models.

The strategy led the company to increase revenue by 64% in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the previous year.

The survey also found a flaw in the Huawei P40 5G, which puts users at risk of a cybersecurity breach.

“AppGallery, Huawei’s official app store, directs users to third-party email addresses, where some apps have been categorized by antivirus software as malicious or infected with viruses,” says a joint statement from the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense and the National Center. Electronic security.

A Huawei spokesperson told the BBC that the company complies with the laws and regulations of the countries in which it operates and prioritizes cyber security and privacy.

“The data is not processed outside the Huawei device,” he said.

AppGallery only collects and processes necessary data to allow its customers to find, install and manage third-party apps, just like other app stores [fazem]”he added.

Huawei also runs security checks to ensure a user is only downloading “safe apps,” the company notes.

The Lithuanian team of researchers also examined a 5G model made by OnePlus. The conclusion was that he had no problems.

The publication of the document comes at a time of rising tensions between Lithuania and China.

Last month, China demanded Lithuania withdraw its ambassador from Beijing and said it would, in turn, recall its diplomatic envoy from Vilnius, the country’s capital in Europe.

The dispute began when Taiwan announced that it would open representative offices for Taiwan in Lithuania.

Other Taiwanese embassies in Europe and the United States use the name of the country’s capital, Taipei, to avoid direct reference to the direct name of the island itself, which China claims as part of its territory.

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