Rabat_ Social Media Exchange (SMEX)—a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing human rights in digital spaces across MENA [Middle East and North Africa] — is warning that Israeli-linked software secretly embedded in Samsung phones across the Middle East and North Africa region poses a serious surveillance threat.

According to SMEX, Samsung’s A and M series devices either come preloaded with the app “Aura” or install it automatically through system updates, without the user’s consent. The application reportedly collects a wide range of personal and device-specific data, including IP addresses, device fingerprints, hardware details, and network information.

  • NotKyloRen@lemmy.zip
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    6 hours ago

    You can flash the US Unlocked firmware. I use a US Unlocked S22 Ultra. Works on all carriers. No bloatware like what you described. I know what you’re talking about – it’s called Carrier something. It’s a system app. You can disable it but updates might re-enable it.

    • FeelThePower@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      3 hours ago

      oh wow, I’ll have to try that. will I have to backup everything on the phone? I got it a couple of weeks ago but I already have it pretty extensively set up.