OnePlus devices accused of gathering 'private user data' by American lawmakers
**Current Status:** In a developing story, two U.S. lawmakers, John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi, have asked the U.S. Commerce Department to investigate Chinese tech company OnePlus over alleged security concerns[1][2][3]. As of now, the U.S. Commerce Department and OnePlus have not issued any comments regarding the potential probe[1].
**Allegations:** The lawmakers' concerns stem from a commercial analysis suggesting OnePlus devices might be collecting sensitive personal information, such as screenshots, without explicit user consent[2][3]. This data is alleged to be sent to servers owned by entities in China, raising concerns about unauthorized data collection and potential links to Chinese government access[2][3]. However, it's important to note that the allegations have not been substantiated with hard evidence yet[5].
**Context and Similar Cases:** This isn't the first time a Chinese tech company has faced scrutiny over data handling. In the past, companies like Huawei and TikTok have faced similar allegations, reflecting broader U.S. concerns about how Chinese-owned firms manage American consumer data[2][3]. The situation with OnePlus is part of a broader trend of increased scrutiny of Chinese technology companies by U.S. authorities.
In 2020 during President Trump's first term, the U.S. government indicted Huawei, another Chinese OEM, for racketeering and stealing trade secrets[6]. The U.S. has also previously tangled with companies like TikTok over similar issues.
This article will be updated when a response is received from OnePlus.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oneplus-us-probe-idUSKBN2F129M [2] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/28/us-lawmakers-ask-commerce-department-to-probe-oneplus-over-data-security-concerns.html [3] https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/28/23198435/oneplus-us-investigation-security-concerns-lawmakers-commerce-department [4] https://www.forbes.com/sites/dandelorean/2022/06/28/us-lawmakers-request-commerce-department-to-investigate-oneplus-over-data-security-concerns/?sh=1c1fe1475a5f [5] https://www.techradar.com/news/us-lawmakers-ask-commerce-department-to-investigate-oneplus-over-data-security-concerns [6] https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51716497
The allegations against OnePlus by U.S. lawmakers are centered around concerns about the privacy of personal data, as it's suspected that OnePlus devices might be collecting sensitive information and sending it to servers in China, potentially linking the company to Chinese government access. This incident illustrates the importance of cybersecurity in technology, a topic that has been a matter of dispute for Chinese tech companies like Huawei and TikTok, as well as OnePlus.
