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Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Full list of 'data hungry' apps that are spying on you
Some of the most popular smartphone apps have been downloaded by hundreds of millions of people. But experts have warned that some of these seemingly harmless apps are in fact requesting 'shocking' levels of access to your personal data. An investigation by Which? found that 20 popular apps, including Ali Express, Facebook and WhatsApp, ask for 'risky' permissions such as access to your location, microphone, or files on your device. This is despite the apps not needing access to this information to function – which means users could be compromising their privacy when rapidly tapping 'agree' to any permission requests which pop up. While most of the apps they looked into are free to download and use, Which? editor Harry Rose warned that 'users are paying with their data'. He added: 'Millions of us rely on apps each day to help with everything from keeping on top of our health and fitness to doing online shopping. 'While many of these apps appear to be free to use, our research has shown how users are in fact paying with their data – often in scarily vast quantities. 'Our research underscores why it's so important to check what you're agreeing to when you download a new app.' The worst offender was Chinese app Xiaomi Home, which asked for 91 permissions, five of which described as 'risky'. Risky permissions include those that access your microphone, can read files on your device, or see your precise location – which mean businesses can target users with 'uncannily' accurate adverts. Samsung's Smart Things app asked for 82 permissions (of which eight are risky), followed by Facebook (69 permissions, six risky) and WhatsApp (66 permissions, six risky). In some cases there are clear uses for risky permissions – for example, WhatsApp may need microphone access to allow for voice notes and audio calls. But in others, the need for these risky permissions was less clear cut. Four of the apps (AliExpress, Facebook, WhatsApp and Strava) requested permission to see what other apps have been recently used or are currently running. All apps require some data to set up an account – usually an email address. However, Which? found Facebook appeared to request the most data to set up an account, requiring the user's first and last name, birthday, and gender. In response to the research, Meta said none of its apps 'run the microphone in the background or have any access to it with user involvement'. It said that users must 'explicitly approve' in their operating system for the app to access the microphone for the first time. A spokesperson for Samsung said: 'At Samsung, we recognise the importance of privacy and data protection. More Trending 'All our apps, including SmartThings, are designed to comply with UK data protection laws and relevant guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). 'Our phones come equipped with Google's Android operating system, which by default helps protect users by giving them control over what data apps can access. 'We fully comply with Google's operating system policies, including SmartThings. SmartThings only uses the permissions needed for the app to function properly and deliver the best possible user experience.' Which? recommends a few ways to increase your privacy when using apps, including: Limit or revoke permissions in the Apps and Permissions section of your device's settings. You can limit or revoke permissions app by app – but revoking entirely could block some app features in the Apps and Permissions section of your device's settings. You can limit or revoke permissions app by app – but revoking entirely could block some app features Use the app settings to check what additional privacy controls are included in the app. You may be able to limit data tracking, revoke some consents, and lock down your account to some data sharing to check what additional privacy controls are included in the app. You may be able to limit data tracking, revoke some consents, and lock down your account to some data sharing Delete the app if you aren't sure about it – and make sure all your account data is deleted too. If you no longer use an app, delete it and stop giving them access to your data if you aren't sure about it – and make sure all your account data is deleted too. If you no longer use an app, delete it and stop giving them access to your data Check privacy information on the App Store or Google Play, which will list all the permissions each app will request on the App Store or Google Play, which will list all the permissions each app will request Read the privacy policy – or if you don't want to read the entire thing, just take a look at the data collection and sharing section Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: The 100-word emergency alert message being sent to millions of phones in weeks MORE: EE, Vodafone and BT down again for second time in 24 hours MORE: EE, Vodafone and BT all go down in signal blackout
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Xiaomi's new smart air conditioners are finally coming to Europe – and I'm pretty excited about it
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. QUICK SUMMARY Xiaomi has listed its first smart air conditioners for global markets – the Mijia Air Conditioner Pro Eco 2.6kW and 3.5kW models. Both offer cooling and heating, smart features like AI Energy Saving mode and Xiaomi Home app control. Pricing and release dates are still unknown, but they're expected to be affordable. Xiaomi has really been on a roll lately with its smart home lineup, and I've especially been loving the look of its new smart water tap. However, as many fans know all too well, a lot of Xiaomi's coolest new gadgets tend to launch exclusively in China – which can be extremely frustrating. Well, that trend is finally starting to change. Xiaomi has officially listed the Mijia Air Conditioner Pro Eco 2.6kW and Mijia Air Conditioner Pro Eco 3.5kW on its global website, which means they're headed to international markets. These will be the brand's first smart air conditioners available outside of China, and it looks like Europe is first on the list. We don't have confirmed release dates or pricing just yet, but knowing Xiaomi's track record, they're likely to be competitively priced. We also expect them to be pretty popular, especially as there isn't much of an existing market for air conditioners in Europe anyways. Both models offer cooling and heating capabilities, with up to 3.6kW heating capacity and 860W heating power. The 2.6kW model is best for rooms between 10 and 20m², whilst the 3.5kW unit suits larger spaces of 15 to 25m². Users can also control them remotely via the Xiaomi Home app, access Mijia AI Energy Saving mode, and track real-time energy usage. There's also Google Assistant voice support, and they integrate smoothly with the rest of the Xiaomi smart home ecosystem. Other handy features include smart pre-heating, anti-condensation tech, and filter cleaning reminders – all designed to make life just a little more comfortable.
Rakyat Post
05-06-2025
- Business
- Rakyat Post
Xiaomi Launches Latest Mijia Refrigerator Cross Door 510L In Malaysia
Subscribe to our FREE Xiaomi announced its new Mijia Refrigerator Cross Door 510L in Malaysia. Designed to bring intelligent cooling and contemporary design into modern Malaysian homes. The latest addition has innovative freshness features, 510 litres of storage space, smart home compatibility, and a sleek grey finish that complements any kitchen setting. Here are some of its notable features: Precision cooling for every ingredient The Mijia Refrigerator Cross Door 510L has intelligent zones designed for modern lifestyles. The i Fresh convertible zone offers adjustable temperatures from -1 to 5 degrees Celsius to ensure optimal preservation for all food types. Meanwhile, the Ag+ Fresh technology, powered by a silver ion module, effectively suppresses bacteria with 99.99% efficiency and eliminates odours to keep storage clean and fresh. Designed for a connected lifestyle The refrigerator can be controlled via the Xiaomi Home app, similarly to Xiaomi home products. The built-in Wifi feature enables remote temperature adjustment, mode switching, and real-time alerts in the app. For a full smart home experience, users can integrate the refrigerator into their smart home ecosystem and benefit from the OTA software updates and 24-hour self-diagnosis for reliable, long-term performance. Users can also use the hands-free voice control with Google Assistant and adjust the temperature via voice commands. If you're always stressing about whether the fridge door is closed all the way, this fridge has your back. If the door stays open for more than two minutes, it'll send you a smart alert to let you know. A refined user experience with thoughtful features The Mijia Refrigerator Cross Door 510L is equipped with a dual inverter system, which offers a stable, energy-efficient performance while maintaining a low-noise level. The front-facing touch panel allows intuitive control, and the 90-degree door opening angle enables full access to the drawers, maximising usability even when the fridge is placed in compact spaces. The cherry on top? The slate grey metallic doors and stony finish give a modern and minimalist touch to any home. Image: Adeline Leong/TRP Image: Adeline Leong/TRP Image: Adeline Leong/TRP The Mijia Refrigerator Cross Door 510L will be available in Malaysia starting 5 June 2025 at 8pm for RM2,899 at selected official Xiaomi stores, There's also a special early-bird promotional price of RM2,399 for a limited time. Fortunately, every purchase in West Malaysia includes hassle-free delivery and setup to ensure the appliance is safely brought directly and securely to customers. Additionally, the refrigerator also comes with a 2-year warranty and a 10-year compressor warranty. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Rakyat Post
09-05-2025
- Rakyat Post
Smart Living Just Got Waayyy Cooler
Subscribe to our FREE These days, everything's getting smarter – lights that auto-dim, TVs that know what you like, and rice cookers that do more than cook rice. The whole idea? Less thinking, more living. You know that feeling when you walk into a room and it's already the perfect temperature? Not too cold, not stuffy, just nice . No buttons pressed, no remote hunting, no shouting 'Why the aircon not on ah ?' It just knows. That's the beauty of smart living. And yes, even your aircon can be smart now. Meet Xiaomi's Mijia Air Conditioner Pro Eco – the aircon that knows what you want before you even ask. (Credit: Xiaomi) Most of us are still used to aircons that we manually set and forget. But not this one. This game-changer is designed to learn your lifestyle , cool your space to your liking, and is also energy saving . So, what makes it so smart? (Credit: Xiaomi) AI That Actually Gets You Its Mijia AI Energy Saving Mode doesn't just guess the temperature – it learns your habits, monitors your environment in real-time, and adjusts the cooling automatically . No more fiddling with remotes or constantly adjust the settings. Powerful, Fast & Efficient Want cool air now ? You'll get it in just 30 seconds thanks to its large 106mm diameter fan. Plus, its 5-star energy rating and CSPF of up to 5.97 means it's working hard to keep you cool, without adding to your electricity bill. (Credit: Xiaomi) Cool & Comfortable Airflow No more harsh, direct air blowing in your face. With 14 swing blades and 602 round micro holes , the airflow is softened for that comfortable, breezy feel that keeps you chill. Control in Your Pocket Xiaomi Xiaomi Xiaomi Through the Xiaomi Home app , you can turn on your aircon before you even reach home, track its usage, check its maintenance status, and even customise sleep settings. All from your phone. Best lah. (Credit: Xiaomi) Always Getting Smarter With OTA updates , your Mijia Air Conditioner Pro Eco continues to improve with time – better energy savings, smarter AI, and less maintenance. Worry-Free Ownership Backed by a 3-year general warranty and a 10-year compressor warranty , you can chill in peace knowing your aircon is built to last. Oh, and it can even clean itself and remind you when it needs a little TLC. Don't settle for 'just an aircon' when you can have one that's human-friendly, eco-conscious, and wallet-wise. (Credit: Xiaomi) With the Mijia Air Conditioner Pro Eco , smart cooling isn't a luxury – it's your new standard. Head over to Xiaomi's (Credit: Xiaomi) So, why wait? Get your hands on the coolest thing on the market right now! Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
