Recently, an online security firm F-Support discovered that Xiaomi handsets with MIUI user interface were sending data back to the servers in China. It included the accusation that Xiaomi’s Redmi Note is sending photos as well as texts to those servers in China. With these huge accusations of accessing user’s data, an explanation from company officials was overdue.
Now in a Google+ post, Xiaomi’s Global VP, Hugo Barra, claimed that it is a part of Xiaomi’s MIUI Cloud Messaging, which will allow the texts from Xiaomi devices to be encrypted via an IP in order to safely pass through from one Xiaomi device to another. This service allows sending of free messages via the internet, instead using carrier’s SMS gateway, i.e. you don’t have to spend a single cent if you’re using this service.
Previously, this service was enabled automatically on your Xiaomi devices, but Hugo Barra comments that, “As we believe it is our top priority to protect user data and privacy, we have decided to make MIUI Cloud Messaging an opt-in service and no longer automatically activate users.” This is a service just like Apple’s iMessage, which was on by default without any instructions. Although, an OTA update is coming to Xiaomi devices which will make MIUI Cloud Messaging as an opt-in service.
Hugo Barra also shared, “After the upgrade, new users or users who factory reset their devices can enable the service by visiting “Settings > Mi Cloud > Cloud Messaging” from their home screen or “Settings > Cloud Messaging” inside the Messaging app — these are also the places where users can turn off Cloud Messaging.”
We have seen that Xiaomi Mi3 is exclusively available via Flipkart in India and this chinese company is all set to launch its Redmi Note and Redmi 1s device in India very soon. It has impressed everyone with the pricing of its devices and hope will continue to do so in the future also.
