Trouble For Realme? Handset Maker Allegedly Collecting Personal User Data, Govt Orders Probe

Realme's data collection practices came under the scanner after being highlighted by a renowned Twitter user, who tweeted about the alleged data collection by Realme.

Enhanced Intelligent Services is available on Realme UI 4.0 which is currently running on most handsets by the company. Representative image.

Source : Google/Realme

Chinese handset maker Realme is facing a probe by the central government over the alleged collection of the private data of its users, including SMS and call logs, usage statistics calendar events and the device's location. Realme's data collection practices came under the scanner after being highlighted by a renowned Twitter user named Rishi Bagree, who tweeted about the alleged data collection by Realme via a the feature on the handset states that it will collect device and usage statistics, along with personal information such as calendar events, SMS and call logs, and the smartphone's location.

Bangree tweeted a screenshot of the feature in a Realme handset, and soon after, the Centre took cognizance and announced that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will probe the smartphone maker and check the claims made by the user. Realme is said to be collecting user data through its feature called Enhanced Intelligent Services, which is found under "system settings" in Realme devices.

Bangree tweet read: 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 ?"

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 ->… pic.twitter.com/QS3f6wMF3R

— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) June 16, 2023

Responding to Bangree's tweet, MoS State, Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar posted: "Will hv this tested and checked 
@rishibagree copy: @GoI_MeitY."

Will hv this tested and checked @rishibagree

copy: @GoI_MeitY https://t.co/4hkA5YWsIg

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) June 16, 2023

It is pertinent to note that Enhanced Intelligent Services is available on Realme UI 4.0 which is currently running on most handsets by the company, which means the feature is turned on by default on most Realme phones.

However, Realme has said it was "committed to maintaining the confidentiality of data security".

“Realme attaches great importance to the privacy and security of our consumers and we are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of data security. Specific to the issue raised, we would like to clarify that the enhanced intelligent services feature is linked to optimising device usage to ensure that consumers get better battery life and temperature performance. However, contrary to the current description, we do not collect any data on SMS, phone calls, schedules, etc." the company said in a statement.