News

Xiaomi’s phones are reportedly recording and sending user data [Updated]

Xiaomi says it’s normal

Published

May 2, 2020

Luigi Leonardo

As data tracking became popular as a statistical tool, technology started leveraging user data as a means to improve services. Concurrently, privacy became an important concern for all users. Unfortunately, data collection isn’t as acceptable as companies want them to be.

Based on a report from Forbes, Xiaomi now finds itself in the same gray space between data collection and privacy invasion. According to the report, Gabriel Cirlig, a security researcher, discovered that the Redmi Note 8 recorded everything that the user does and sends it over to Russian and Singaporean servers. This includes browser data, changed settings, and played music.

Further, Cirlig discovered the same flaw in the Redmi K20 and the Mi 10. When sent, the data is barely encrypted, enabling him to see what data was sent.

According to another security researcher, Andrew Tierney, web browser data is still recorded regardless of which browser is used. This includes Xiaomi’s built-in browser and the supposedly safer DuckDuckGo browser.

In Xiaomi’s defense, a spokesperson defended against the allegations, saying that privacy laws are still being upheld. Further, the data is anonymized, supposedly increasing security. Finally, the company said that the practice is standard even for other companies.

Regardless of where you stand on data collection, it’s still important to know that your device is sending data to servers without your knowledge.

UPDATE [5/3/2020]: Recently, Xiaomi has issued additional statements regarding the security issue. On Twitter, Manu Jain, Xiaomi’s Managing Director for India, doubled down on the company’s defensive position.

“As an internet company, Xiaomi [India] takes user privacy extremely seriously. Mi Browser follows similar protocols as any other leading browser int he world. It does not collect any user data that the user has not explicitly given permission or consent to,” the statement read. Further, Jain assures users that the data collected (with consent) is used to improve services.

Related Topics:Mi 10 Redmi K20 Redmi Note 8 Xiaomi

Apps

Canva teams up with SB19 to turn A’TIN’s passion into creativity

Campaign lets fans access assets, editable templates, more

Published

August 8, 2026

GadgetMatch

Canva Philippines has joined forces with SB19 and Sony Music Entertainment to launch the “Kaya sa Canva” campaign.

This first-of-its-kind initiative is aimed at transforming the popular Filipino boy band’s fanbase into creators by giving them access to official design assets, exclusive templates, and powerful creative tools.

That’s of course as fans have a way of creating artwork, banners, and more outputs to honor their idols.

As such, the partnership enables the A’TIN (SB19’s fanbase) to access the Canva-exclusive SB19’s Creative Hub.

This dedicated space lets fans access assets, including SB19-inspired sticker packs, custom typography, and editable templates inspired by the group.

Fans around the world will initially have access to templates for photo-booth strips, wallpapers, posters, and videos.

The campaign will then expand with Canva-exclusive assets celebrating the group’s New Era, as well as their latest single, “Lawless”.

Meanwhile, the original song “KAYA” is accompanied with an upbeat music video, doubling as a love letter to A’TIN and a masterclass in Canva’s tools.

Every visual and animation is fan-inspired, a celebration of the creativity, passion, and dedication that’s defined in the community from day one.

News

The iPhone 18 might sell out for an unexpected reason

The ongoing shortage might play a part in the phone selling out earlier than expected.

Published

August 7, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

An iPhone selling out is not news. Because of how popular the phones are, it’s within the realm of probability that Apple runs out of stock at some point. According to a new report, this year won’t be any different… but it’s for an entirely different reason.

First reported by analyst Tim Culpan, Apple is reportedly struggling to meet its demand for semiconductors for the iPhone 18 and the foldable iPhone. The ongoing memory shortage is cutting off Apple’s ability to deliver the required supply of smartphones in a timely fashion. The report even claims that TSMC, which helps produce the iPhone, is sitting on a shipment of processors, worth US$ 1 billion, that don’t have memory chips.

Now, Apple is still confident that it can weather the launch. However, if the shortage persists, the iPhone 18 generation will likely sell out much more quickly than expected.

It’s an interesting time for Apple to experience such a shortage. It’s been heavily rumored that the company will launch its very first foldable phone next month, creating a new market for the brand. Apple definitely wants this attempt to succeed after the tepid response to its last new product, the Vision Pro.

News

These “smart” glasses just sold out in under a week

DuckDuckGo touts that these glasses have zero AI, zero cameras, and an infinite battery life.

Published

August 7, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Smart glasses are in a weird place right now. While a chunk of the population views them as cool and innovative, another significant chunk sees them as a privacy nightmare. If you’re in the latter group but want to see what life is like on the former, DuckDuckGo has a new product: a pair of anti-surveillance glasses with no camera or AI, otherwise known as just normal sunglasses.

If it’s not obvious, yes, it’s a troll product. DuckDuckGo is a search engine famously known for pushing privacy as a priority, opposing Google’s penchant for advertising and AI. Now, the search engine is taking on the smart glasses market.

Partnering with Knockaround, DuckDuckGo released the Paso Robles, a pair of sunglasses touted as having zero cameras, an always-offline mode, and a battery life of infinity.

It’s a statement piece. The rims have a logo mark, similar to the Meta’s glasses. The packaging also states that the glasses are “designed to block the sun, not send data to the cloud.”

Now, if you want a pair, they cost only US$ 35, as opposed to Meta’s US$ 299 price tag, but they are already sold out.

Which says quite a bit about today’s sentiment against AI and for privacy. Of course, to be fair, DuckDuckGo’s supply is certainly less than Meta’s stock for their smart glasses. It does, however, prove that the sentiment is there.

As of now, the world is slowly realizing that unimpeded smart glasses aren’t such a good idea, leading to people concerned about their privacy. In fact, some states have already started banning the technology in certain public spaces.