12 brands violate Taiwan phone privacy
Print Edition
TAIWAN has identified 12 smartphone brands that do not conform with privacy standards, and the handset makers could face fines or a ban unless they address the breaches, an official at the telecoms regulator said yesterday.
Taiwan began reviewing privacy two months ago after media reports said smartphones made by Chinese mainland firm Xiaomi Technology Co Ltd could be sending user data to mainland home servers without users’ permission.
Yu Hsiao-cheng, vice chairman of Taiwan’s communications commission, did not name any of the 12 brands, but said the investigation found that some of the smartphones could allow manufacturers to collect users’ data without permission.
Others contained “imperfections” which do not conform with the law, Yu said, without elaborating.
The findings will be released within weeks, he added.
Smartphones from Apple Inc, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and HTC Corp were among the top five bestselling handsets in Taiwan during the third-quarter, according to industry data firm IDC. Xiaomi said its phones were also among the 12 most popular in Taiwan.
Yu said the government would ask the offending brands to modify their handsets. If they refused, the communications commission could fine them up to T$200 million (US$6.43 million) or ban their handsets from being sold in Taiwan.
Xiaomi said its devices “never actively send any private user information without the users’ approval.”
Taiwan-based HTC said it was working with the Taiwan regulators to improve compliance with the required security standards.
Samsung said in an emailed statement that it “considers the privacy and security of consumers’ data a top priority.”
Apple did not respond to requests for comment.
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