OnePlus is on the hot seat lately, with users claiming that their smartphones are collecting all kinds of data in an unsuspecting manner. One would think that this is a problem just like any other for smartphone brands, but this device lands itself in a huge debate here.
What kind of Data is OnePlus Collecting?
Reports from users indicate that different types of usage data on this phones are being collected and sent to the company's servers:
App usage patterns
Screen time
Battery usage
Device performance report
While most of this data is good use for improving the performance of the phone, what grates on many people's nerves is collecting it without permission and without being transparent about it.
Social Media Backlash and User Reactions
Many this device users have complained on tech forums, Reddit and Twitter that the data collection settings, which are on by default, are extremely difficult to turn off. The major complaint is this is a big invasion of user privacy.
OnePlus Explanation
It explains this was to assess phone performance and improve user experience with it. They also stated that the collected information is encrypted and not shared with any third-party companies.
What's at Stake?
While this type of data collection has never been new for others, i.e., Samsung, Xiaomi, Apple, this is now a matter of concern for users who say they are aware of their rights, thus creating the suspicion of any company that does not have a clear way to communicate how they operate.
Once again, the OnePlus incident proves that technology must embrace transparency and consent in the foreground. Smartphone users should, at intervals, check their phones; permissions, data privacy options, and anything else on the guidelines listed must be modified according to their will.
