US lawmakers raise alarm over data collection by OnePlus without users' permission: Report
Two U.S. lawmakers have asked the US Commerce Department to investigate Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus over alleged security concerns. According to a Reuters report, representatives John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi sent a letter to the department raising concerns that OnePlus devices may be collecting sensitive user data without consent and sending it to China-owned servers.
The letter claims that
OnePlus smartphones
may be gathering personal data, including "transfers of sensitive personal information and screenshots," without users' explicit permission. The lawmakers wrote, 'This investigation would determine the types of information being collected by OnePlus devices.'
They cited a commercial analysis that reportedly found the data collection patterns and flagged them as potentially unsafe. The information, according to the lawmakers, 'indicates' that OnePlus may be sending this data to servers owned by entities in China.
This isn't the first time the US government has raised red flags over Chinese tech companies. In 2020, Huawei faced federal charges including racketeering and intellectual property theft. The company received temporary relief from U.S. trade bans but continued to face scrutiny under national security laws.
The TikTok controversy in 2022 followed a similar path, with officials accusing the app of sharing sensitive user data with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. At the time, U.S. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr stated, 'It harvests swaths of sensitive data that new reports show is being accessed in Beijing.'
The call to investigate OnePlus echoes ongoing concerns over how Chinese-owned tech firms handle U.S. consumer data and whether that data could be accessed by foreign governments.
Apple iOS 26: Top 5 iOS 26 Features You NEED to See!
AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
14 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘No formal talks on F-35 jets yet': India clarifies after Trump tariff announcement
The Indian government on Friday clarified that there have been no formal discussions yet on the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to India, despite a reference in the India-US joint statement earlier this year. In a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said: 'The US will undertake a review of its policy on releasing fifth-generation fighters (such as the F-35) and undersea systems to India. No formal discussions have been held as yet on this issue.' This statement comes in the backdrop of PM Narendra Modi's February visit to US, during which the two sides elevated defence and strategic cooperation, but without finalising key hardware acquisitions like the F-35. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was also asked whether any proposal had been made by the US regarding the F-35, and about the role of American diplomats in reducing tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Singh noted that diplomatic conversations were held with various countries, including the US, between April 22 and May 10. 'All our interlocutors were given a common message that India's approach was focused, measured and non-escalatory,' Singh said. He added that on May 9, India had conveyed its position clearly to US Vice President J D Vance. 'With specific reference to the United States, it was conveyed to Vice President J D Vance on May 9 that India would appropriately respond if Pakistan launched a major attack.' Singh clarified that the decision to cease military action was taken bilaterally between India and Pakistan. 'The discussion to cease military action took place directly between India and Pakistan through the existing channels of communication between the two-armed forces, and it was initiated at Pakistan's request.' Responding to a question on third-party mediation, Singh reiterated New Delhi's long-standing policy: 'As regards any proposal for third-party mediation, our longstanding position remains that any outstanding issue with Pakistan will be discussed only bilaterally. This has been made clear to all nations, including by the Prime Minister to the US President.' He emphasised that the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is underpinned by mutual trust and respect for sovereignty: 'The India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is anchored in mutual trust, shared interests, goodwill and robust engagement between our citizens. The partnership has also benefited from growing strategic convergence and cooperation.' Singh also reaffirmed that India remains committed to strategic autonomy despite deepening ties with Washington. 'The Government of India closely evaluates all its external partnerships, including those in the defence and strategic domains, through the prism of India's national interest and commitment to strategic autonomy.'
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
14 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Tesla sales slump again in Europe despite revamped Model Y rollout
Registrations of new Tesla cars in several key European markets fell in July, despite a revamp to its signature Model Y, as the EV maker struggles with a backlash against CEO Elon Musk's political views, regulatory challenges and rising competition. Tesla's aging lineup is facing a wave of low-cost EV rivals, especially from China. It is rolling out a revamped Model Y and starting to produce a new, cheaper model, but production of that will only ramp up next quarter, later than initially expected. The brand's registrations - a proxy for sales - fell 86% year-on-year in July to 163 cars in Sweden, 52% to 336 cars in Denmark, 27% to 1,307 in France, 62% to 443 in the Netherlands and 58% to 460 in Belgium, official industry data showed, marking a seventh straight monthly drop in all of those countries. They also fell by 5% to 457 cars in Italy and 49% to 284 in Portugal. Tesla sales dropped by over a third in Europe in the first six months of the year. Norway and Spain bucked the trend, with Tesla's July registrations up 83% and 27% to 838 cars and 702 cars, respectively. Spain recorded a 155% jump in total sales of electrified cars - either battery electric or plug-in hybrid. Tesla's Chinese competitor BYD sold 2,158 cars in Spain in July, almost eight times more than in July 2024. With no more affordable-end vehicles on the horizon until the last three months of the year and the upcoming end of a $7,500 US tax break for EV buyers, Musk acknowledged in July that Tesla could have "a few rough quarters". He said tough automated driving regulations in Europe made it harder to sell the Model Y in some countries, as the vehicle's optional supervised self-driving is "a huge selling point". "Our sales in Europe, we think will improve significantly once we are able to give customers the same experience that they have in the US," he told analysts. Tesla began selling a long-range four-wheel version of the revamped Model Y in Europe in March 2025, while sales of the two rear-wheel drive variants began in May. Model Y registrations in Sweden and Denmark fell by 88% and 49% respectively in July, while they jumped more than fourfold to 715 cars in Norway. Norway, where almost all new cars sold are fully-electric and where Tesla has been the best-selling brand since 2021, has seen a surge in orders for the model since May after the automaker launched 0% interest loans in some Nordic countries to drum up demand. Tesla launched in June a trial robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, using about a dozen Model Y SUVs controlled by its autonomous-driving software. But the roll-out of its self-driving features elsewhere in the US is bogged down because it hasn't received the required permits. Overall car sales were up 20% in Denmark, 6% in Sweden, 48% in Norway, 17% in Spain, 9% in the Netherlands and 21% in Portugal, while they slid 8% in France, 5% in Italy and 2% in Belgium in July, industry data showed. Germany and the UK are expected to release July car sales next week. European automakers Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz , Stellantis, Renault and BMW have published downbeat second-quarter results, warning of pressure from US import tariffs and falling demand.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
14 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Leather, textile, shrimp exports to be hit hard by 25% US tariff: Experts
Domestic export sectors such as leather, footwear, textiles and shrimp will be hit hard by the imposition of the 25 per cent tariff by the US, industry experts say. "Quick estimates suggest that India's goods exports in FY 2026 may come down by 30 per cent from $ 86.5 billion in FY 2025 to $60.6 billion in FY 2026," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said. The duty, announced this week, will come into force from August 7 (9.30 am IST). These will be over and above the exiting standard import duty in the US. The 25 per cent tariff will replace the existing 10 per cent baseline tariff. The modified tariff is one per cent less than the 26 per cent levy announced by President Donald Trump on April 2. A White House executive order mentions that tariffs may be reduced once countries make a deal with the US. The executive order also clarifies that goods in transit until October 5, 12:01 am eastern daylight time (EDT), or 09:30 am IST, will be subject to a 10 per cent tariff, provided that such goods have entered into transit before August 7 12:01 am EDT. The sectors, which would bear the brunt of 25 per cent duty include textiles/ clothing (10.3 billion), gems and jewellery (12 billion), shrimp ($ 2.24 billion), leather and footwear ($ 1.18 billion), chemicals (2.34 billion), and electrical and mechanical machinery (about $ 9 billion). According to think tank GTRI, the duty on all Indian-origin goods could severely hit the country's exports to America. Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) Director General Ajay Sahai said that the order provides relaxation for goods in transit and those loaded on ship for final sailing to the US by August 7. Goods cleared for consumption in the US by October 5 will also not be subject to reciprocal tariffs, thus providing some relief to exporters of goods already shipped or likely to be shipped this week, he said. In 2024-25, the bilateral trade between India and the US stood at $ 131.8 billion ($ 86.5 billion exports and $ 45.3 billion imports). Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman, AEPC (Apparel Export Promotion Council), said: "We request immediate government intervention to offset this huge setback. "Exporters have their back against the wall and will have to sell below cost to keep their factories running and avoid mass layoffs." Indian shrimp exporters face an unprecedented new challenge in the US market, which contributes close to 48 per cent of their exports, Crisil Ratings Senior Director Rahul Guha said. Exporters are hoping that early finalisation of the India-US bilateral trade agreement will help in dealing with the tariff challenges. The negotiations between India and the US are still going on for an interim trade deal, though there will be no compromise on the red lines with regard to duty concessions on agriculture items, dairy, and genetically modified (GM) products, sources said. The two countries are negotiating a bilateral trade agreement (BTA). They are aiming to conclude the first phase of the pact by fall (October-November) this year.
