AT&amp;T won&#39;t sell the Huawei Mate 10 in the US over political concerns

I'll not get into semantics. While you are correct, the FINS I spoke with consider themselves as Scandinavians.

As your Communism VS Socialism, you maybe 100% correct. How you view the US Management style is your prerogative. Again, not interested in arguing.

My original post is a "tongue in-cheek" statement. Just a rhetoric question.

Jan 20, 2018permalink

I believe in patronizing US made products. Every time I am in the market for consumers product, I always look for "Made in the USA" label. Sadly, all I find are Made in China labels. I bought Apple MacBookPro in 2008 believing it is made in the USA. While unpacking, I was disappointed reading the stamp "Made in China" at the bottom of the MacBookPro.

I believe and am bothered by the trade imbalance, that we, USA, are in the short end of the stick against China. I do not blame China, rather, I don't look kindly to the management of US owned businesses who want to squeeze every penny in production costs by having the product made off-shore.

Since our government seem to have a hand in AT&T's decision to abandon Huawei because it is a Chinese product, where will AT&T get the product that will replace Huawei? Will the product be Made in the USA? Since we do not make anymore consumers product, except fully assembled automotive vehicles, will AT&T get the product?

Jan 17, 2018permalink

strickerj

Same here. I've been beating this drum for years, and the replies I get (from fellow Americans, no less) are along the lines of, China's winning because we're just not competitive... as if a country with a free market economy can possibly compete fairly with one that manipulates its currency, subsidizes manufacturing, places onerous taxes and restrictions on imports, and blatantly steals intellectual property.

That said, I recognize that some companies are worse about it than others. The issue with Huawei isn't just that they're Chinese, but their allegations of espionage, presumably sanctioned by the Chinese government. I'll never buy from a company like that.

Jan 18, 2018*permalink

Hilarious, you'll sweat about the Chinese who are not interested in you, but love having your every move sent to USA's big brother by American companies.

I'm in the US and buy products made abroad because they are generally better. Made in the USA is more a plea for charity these days than a mark of quality.

Jan 18, 2018permalink

Shifting gears but on related note, I was on a tour of Scandinavia in June 2017. While shopping for souvenirs, I only saw "Made in Denmark" label. In Stockton it was "Made in Sweden" label. In Helsinki, "Made in Finland" labels. and in Oslo, made in Norway. I assume there are foreign made consumer goods such as Cameras. While paying for the (light) Made in Findland winter coat, I struck conversation with the sales lady. She stated that she buy Scandinavian made consumer goods and willing to pay the higher price than a similar product made elsewhere . . . and added "I want to support the industry where I live."

I wish we in America (USA) put our money where our mouth is.

Jan 18, 2018permalink

I've spent time in Scandinavia and can tell you that they make some very nice products in that region. They also have a healthy export trade with the rest of Europe, so their products are also chosen first in other countries.

It is notable that they are more socialist leaning and therefore more likely to think of their own communities than Americans.

The USA model of business and community seems to hate any idea of socialism, hence the disparity of wealth leading to cheap imports for the less well off, and foreign products for the rich wanting to show status.

These countries make it into the top 10 most socialist countries in the world...

Denmark
Finland
Netherlands
Sweden
Norway

... and also among the wealthiest with the highest standards of living.

You see, there is more to socialism than communism. But Americans won't spend the time to learn that.

Jan 18, 2018permalink

Hi Gerard - I concur with your observation regarding Scandinavian countries, although Netherlands is not considered Scandinavia, but Iceland is considered Scandinavia.

As for your idea of our (USA) Business model, I disagree . . . and let's just leave it a at that.

Did you perhaps meant "... there is more to socialism AND communism"?
Are you also an American? Regardless of your nationality, I agree with you that majority of us (Americans) are actually closed minded. Again, I'll leave it at that. I prefer not to get into politics that is off tangent this article.

Jan 19, 2018permalink

@BrownieVet, My list was intended to include European countries that wouldn't be viewed as socialist by many Americans.

Finland in your reference to Scandinavia wouldn't be correct either. It's a Nordic country. (Scandinavia is Denmark, Norway and Sweden when referring to that cultural/historical region).

And yes, the EU would also regard The Netherlands as Western Europe, rather than categorized as one of their Northern European countries, but as I thought you were being more general with the inclusion of Finland, I included both.

My reference to communism vs socialism is that any hint of "socialism" gets labeled as "red", or "communist" in the US. There is a difference, even if people make the mistake of conflating the two.

I accept that the "more than" suggests one is a subset of the other and that may be where you disagree with me. What I meant to convey is that one was more/greater in terms of freedoms and success. Which one, is obvious ;-)

Jan 19, 2018permalink

Turtle Steve

Well, spying IS a competition.

Jan 16, 2018permalink

chairrival

Bathroom selfies are the key to world domination.

Jan 15, 2018permalink

neverendinglight

But we're all on board if Apple, Google, LG, Lenovo, Samsung etc spy on us all in the name of convenience. "Click here to agree to the terms and conditions and proceed setting up"

Jan 15, 2018permalink

yazcui

Good for AT&T, don't trust the reds.

Jan 14, 2018permalink

MichailK

what Liverpool F.C. has to do with this?

Jan 17, 2018permalink

Spying on me? I don't care, I'm just glad someone, somewhere, is interested in what I do. It makes me feel less worthless.

Jan 14, 2018permalink

Ishatix

"6-inch 18:9 OLED screen"

... uhmmm, I prefer a 10:5 aspect ratio myself.

Jan 13, 2018permalink

JBTravel

That is a weird decision regarding Huawei, since Russia was able to allegedly hack American phones from a distance... Russia does not sell Russian phones in the US, so...

Jan 13, 2018permalink

srados

Um, US was first in hacking its own citizens and keep in mind some HP laptops did arrived with preloaded malware, some hardware also comes with prloaded chips like in network cables etc.Canadian hacker hacked over 10 000, US Yahoo accounts, for Russians.He was extradited to US...That is only hacking that I know of that Russians did it (publicly).Not to mention Chinese government unit that hacks into everything...their attacks are on working hours in that time zone.US have their own "Crew" that was generally recruited from college students.This is happening all over the world.

Jan 15, 2018permalink

mailman88

James Bond spy movie...Dr. No using a Huawei phone to steal top secret nuke plans, but the Apple iPhone has all the information...and Bond needs both phones to Save the World.

Jan 13, 2018permalink

But strangely, the iPhone has gotten very slow lately, seriously hampering agent 007's crucial mission.

Jan 13, 2018permalink

Dragonrider

Probably a waste of time (other than to support Apple, Google, etc.) since all phones are made in China and thus susceptible.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

They are different, just like a TOYOTA made here is not an American car, or a FORD made in Mexico is not a Mexican car.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Dragonrider

I agree that design concepts follow the design country, but that doesn't necessarily keep the bugs out when stuff is made elsewhere.

Jan 13, 2018permalink

Quality maybe different. One of my Japanese SUV was 100% made in Japan for the US market, and the quality is better, especially the car battery has much longer life, and the battery was made by Panasonic Japan.

Jan 13, 2018*permalink

https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/12/us-government-agencies-zte-huawei/

"New bill bans US government agencies using contractors with Huawei or ZTE tech"

Huawei is well known for "has been challenged by various entities of the American government and security officials that Huawei-made telecommunications equipment is designed to allow unauthorized access by the Chinese government and the Chinese People's Liberation Army,",

But how about ZTE?

FWIW, last year, "ZTE agrees to pay up to $1.2bn for violating US sanctions", and hoping not lose US market.

https://www.ft.com/content/fff5b72e-0356-11e7-ace0-1ce02ef0def9

Jan 12, 2018*permalink

Not another anti-foreigner/anti-China post from Mike FL. This is getting tedious.

Clean the poop off your own doorstep before trying to lecture the world, Mike. Regrettably, the USA can't tell anyone what to do at the moment.

Spamming those hate filled comments here just embarrasses Americans.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-zte/chinas-zte-corp-pleads-guilty-in-u-s-court-in-sanctions-case-idUSKBN16T33Y

Gerard D C;

You can not handle the truth, or there is no truth in your country China, just like there is no truth in your little brother North Korea,

BTW, look your logical about "the USA can't tell anyone what to do at the moment" while the truth is "China's ZTE Corp pleads guilty in U.S. court in sanctions case".

US did not tell Chinese company ZTE what to do, rather "China's ZTE Corp pleads guilty in U.S. court in sanctions case".

In terms of violating sanctions, "Chinese ships spotted by satellites 'selling oil to North Korea' 30 times since October, despite sanctions"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/27/chinese-ships-spotted-satellites-selling-oil-north-korea-30/

Jan 12, 2018*permalink

One more thing for your "anti-foreigner/anti-China",

Your communist party/Gov, dos NOT present China, and Chinese people, They are two different thing even you think communist is China.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Mike FL. Nothing is too ridiculous for you to say obviously.

I am not Chinese, I am not in China, I have no Chinese ancestry. I have no connection with any Chinese company or organisation.

But keep embarrassing your fellow Americans with your ignorant world view from your trailer window.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Gerard D C;

I do not care who say who you are, you need to lean basic LOGICAL for your own good regardless if you are a communist or not.

Again, I was telling the truth that "China's ZTE Corp pleads guilty in U.S. court in [North Korea] sanctions case", and you were telling me "the USA can't tell anyone what to do at the moment".

What's your logical?

I was telling you ""New bill bans US government agencies using contractors with Huawei or ZTE tech", and, again, you were telling me "the USA can't tell anyone what to do at the moment" "view from your trailer window".

Are you out of your mind. "view from your trailer window".

Jan 12, 2018permalink

aris14

Can its battery be replaced by the user..?

Jan 12, 2018permalink

NickyB66

Good, at least a possible security hole won't be opened by introducing this phone to the US. Looks like The President is making his feelings felt.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

"a possible security hole won't be opened up". Sounds like you have been watching too many wacky YouTube videos.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

CaPi

Then all android phones without security patches should not be allowed to sell:

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Mr Bolton

I think this is the tail wagging the dog, really. Why should this Chinese made phone be any more susceptible to security hacks than any other-especially when they all run Android or iOS.

Jan 16, 2018permalink

CaPi

I wouldn’t know about Huawei. Most android oems don’t provide any software support to their customers. Restricting that would be my recommendation

Jan 16, 2018permalink

https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/18/15993136/winnie-the-pooh-china-ban-censorship-xi-jinping-lol

As I said, if you are looking into politics, look no more than China communist government, blew up Church, "Tells Christians to Replace Images of Jesus with Communist President"Just name a few.

Oh, Here is what the Communist President also did:

"Winnie the Pooh is now banned in China for resembling President Xi Jinping"

Jan 12, 2018*permalink

Mike. Sush! until at least you get a new president. :D

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Daryl-G,

For your records, we just got a new president last year. How about your country?

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Vik2012

@Mike. If the Chinese don't believe in your imaginary friends, so be it. That doesn't make you superior.

I am guessing that you are in the US (Florida, probably). There is more than enough to keep you concerned with domestic politics there. You can take a break from ranting about the Chinese.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Mike. don't worry we have all heard of him. He's in bed by now with his cheesburger, keep your voice down!

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Mr Bolton

Our new Fearless Leader thinks everyone is trying to poison him, so he eats only McD's and KFC.. Sad!

Jan 16, 2018permalink

whats about espionage. Microsoft Wondows, MacOS and many other products from any big countries are full espionage software, even nobody hiding this facts, but nothing, they are on the market and its fine, nobody talk serious about it, then why just about chinese phones we must talk regarding espionage? This is a part of black propaganda by one superpower to other superpower. For ordinary customers its nothing, we use Windows and many other soft many years and still now alive...

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Jan 12, 2018*permalink

Mike FL

please don't believe to that web site, i live in China and chinese government never asked to any people for that stupid thing., its a anti chinese propaganda, for other stupid people who can believe in this absurd... Regarding phone (here is a forum for phone) - its a nice phone, but price is very high, in 800 USD you can buy any top phones by most other companies. This [hone is also expensive inside China, where is a lot of top spec phones...

Jan 12, 2018permalink

kobakokh;

I expected you will say that as you are living in China, if you say something else, or telling the truth, you will be very much end up in the "Missing person list" as most of the Chinese "Missing person" who were telling the truth.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Mike, you are throwing stones in a glass house. Your beloved US of A is not a good place from which to preach to anyone these days.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNf4-d6fDoY

Daryl-G;

How about your country? I do not care if are loving China communist government, but do not tell the truth over there, or you will be in "Missing person list" in 10 mini, Take a look:

Take a look, It is for your own good.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Mike FL
please believe me - really not... most my foreign friends here everyday in the chats talk some bad words but nobody touch them. 12 years I stay here and to be honest, at first I also thought here is some extraordinary hard rules, but today can say - in the world are just few countries so free for people who live here and also for foreigners... If you don't believe, please, come here and live even few month and you will understand my words better then from far. yes, here are some weak sides and personally me talk about it many times even with high governors and with some other people from government, and what? They say just thanks to me for open and directly words and gave me visa even for longer time then before. I think its a result of very long history of this country, with some weak sides here are a much more good sides. But we stay in dpreview and we must talk about photography, i think...

Jan 12, 2018permalink

DrSL

Ha, the the Troll Force of China!

Jan 12, 2018permalink

ClassicPhotoLearner

You can buy any phone in China... But you can't use it! That is the big joke! Ever try using Google Playstore in China. They force you to use pirated software.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-0TEJMJOhk

no, if you want, i will give you my chat and you can talk with me with video. No need to search everywhere trolls...

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Mr Bolton

I'm protected cuz I made this hat..

Jan 16, 2018permalink

yes, all Google services are blocked in China, its a true. Just Google translator is working. Also here are blocked FB, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp, maybe also some other social networks. As i know, its a because of Chinese government asked to that companies to make agreement and pay taxes for do own business in China, but that companies didn't agree. For example, Microsoft. Apple have here business, pay taxes and nobody blocking their sites or services. For example, Google is blocked, but Bing.com by Microsoft is working perfect. Also the Microsoft company have two very big building here, in Shenzhen and in Beijing with about 14000 employers.

Jan 17, 2018permalink

http://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2017/november/china-christians-jesus-communist-president-xi-jinping-yugan.html

Talking about politics, you have to look into China communist government, Other than blew up churches, here is another samples:

"China Tells Christians to Replace Images of Jesus with Communist President"

Jan 12, 2018permalink

samkho

This is not true! This website is famous for bashing China to gain attention and donation.

Jan 15, 2018permalink

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4GNtHFLnz4

Ok, it is for donation, and how about one below:

Officials demolish Golden Lampstand Church in Shanxi, China

Jan 15, 2018permalink

samkho

First of all, there are estimated 200 million Christians plus several millions muslims in China. Chinese government does not persecute churches. HOWEVER, religions are regulated in China. This is why we don't see oily-haired midnight televangenlist con men asking for money to buy airplane so that he can talk to God easily.

Visit Shanghai and Beijing and one will see how true Christians behave over there.

About churches being demolish, we do not know the whole story. One earlier story reported by a western Christian website about a church being demolished was revealed in a Hong Kong newspaper that the pastor was having dispute with the land developer and it was the land developer who demolished the church. The land developer was caught and jailed. But why is a pastor having dispute with a developer? Is the "pastor" just using religion as a front for real estate development? One wonders. One thing for sure, not all pastors are Christians!

Jan 18, 2018permalink

https://www.yahoo.com/news/china-demolishes-another-church-sparking-133032874.html

The AT&T's action may not be politics, but the following action is 100% politics. Take a look today's China communist government:

"China Demolishes Another Church, Sparking Fears of Campaign Against Christianity"

BTW, this was happening NOW.

Jan 12, 2018*permalink

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4GNtHFLnz4

Here is the video about the Church being Demolished yesterday:

BTW, as the video indicated that another 400+ Churches were affected in the past JUST in one provence.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Vik2012

@Mike. They probably just don't get your imaginary friends. But it is their country. In yours, they ban people from entering based on religion too.

Less of this propaganda and more talk of photography please.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

SVCguy

Those "imaginary friends" are really written on your money "in God we trust", is the foundation of the USA, every nation and the universe. Those who know them and love them, even their darkest day is brighter than your day at noon. They know the true reason for celebrating Easter and Christmas...while you have April 1st!

Jan 14, 2018permalink

samkho

The news is a one sided story. We don't know the whole story. Religion is not banned in China. Religion is regulated in China to avoid con men using religion as front to fleece money from the faithful. We have seen a lot of those millionaire preachers in USA. There are estimated over 200 million Christians plus a few millions Muslims in China. If China were persecuting churches, there won't be that many Christians around.

Jan 15, 2018permalink

Dante Birchen

Today's smartphones are able to continually monitor their surroundings. They are listening and watching everything around them. People supply them with their biometrics by using wearables. They track your whereabouts They know more about you than you do yet nobody cares whether they are sending al this information to some foreign government as long as they have their gadget. Of course China won't gather all data. It's too much, but they know how to find you when you are of interest to them. The Huawei Mate 10 has an AI that can predict your interests and actions. There is just a small step between that and influence what you do, serve you information that the government (or whoever is behind it) wants you to see. But hey it has a Leica in it is great.....

Jan 12, 2018*permalink

This is just plain politics.

What about huge part of all carrier networks in USA are already running on Huawei hardware which has more direct access to inner carrier infrastructure. Phones are concerns and the network not. Weird...and clearly shows the real true behind it.

And if someone raise a point that the hardware might be inspected and is something different....it could be done same for every phone before launched in the market.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

wlad

It would open the doors for other Chinese brands. "Traditional" phone manufacturers are scared that the US consumers find out that a $150 Xiaomi phone works just as well as a $500 mid-range phone.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

(unknown member)

Xiaomi is a nice little thing, light and fast, lots of capacity. Only the camera is so bad that I cannot use it for my daily purposes...I have to copy text and the corners cannot be read. Other than that, what a nice machine!

Jan 12, 2018permalink

@ wlad

I think you make a point. I would not be suprised if Samsung or other brands would be behind it.

@gbdz

you cant except from budget phone a top spec camera and I don`t care as I have for photos my mirrorless. The camera`s are practically the same as other brands as you don`t have much choice over the sensor it will be either Sony or Samsung. The Samsung/Sony other phones for the same price will be not taking better quality pictures. At leas with significant difference.

On the other hand top Huawei phone is 3rd in DXOmark and Xiaomi is 9th ;)
Xiaomi note 3 for examples i better then Iphone7plus for the half of the price with bigger memory, bigger battery etc,etc. Just one example.

Jan 12, 2018*permalink

Sam808

@gbdz
Use FreeDCam app and you'll see a huge difference in pciture quality on the same Xiaomi phone. Modify the jpg guality setting to 100% and file output to jpeg and turn off denoise. Also change the resolution to max.

Jan 12, 2018*permalink

(unknown member)

Thanks, Sam808. I will try it tomorrow when I get back home.
The picture quality really was the only issue that kept me from using the Xiaomi as my main machine.

To LadislavCZ: I bought the Xiaomi for a backup while my s7 got repaired.
I lived with it two weeks. No complaints, whatsoever. The Samsung camera is something else, though. I sold my mirrorless.

Jan 14, 2018*permalink

Toni Salmonelli

"That's a lot smartphone for the $800 retail price."

Call me old fashioned, but I honestly can't get on with 800$ now beeing thought of as inexpensive for a smart phone.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Lars Rehm

it is not inexpensive but good value for money which is a different thing :)

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Toni Salmonelli

Ok, I'm not a native english speaker and that was what I meant. Leo.org describes inexpensive the same as "good value for money" and I trusted it.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Glen Barrington

Toni - with English, there is frequently a difference between the Dictionary meaning of a phrase, and the emotional content of a phrase.

Then there are regional differences as well. There are even differences between Canada and the USA that a non native might not catch. I don't envy non native speakers trying to keep track of English!

Jan 12, 2018permalink

No matter how you translate it from whichever language, $800 is not inexpensive, nor good value for a cell phone.

Jan 14, 2018*permalink

Cornu

Because other phones are not made in China...

Jan 12, 2018*permalink

the decent exposure

it is not important where it is produced, the problem is where the data is going to. And the US wants to be the only one with backdoors in Android and OIS to spy on their people. They don#t wnat China to do the same. THat is also the reason why the don't want anybody to use Kaspersky for anti virus. then the users are not using US toold with the backdoor and information flow to the NSA. Kaspersky is finding the NSA backdoors and might collaborate with the Russians :)

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Sam808

It's funny when people take extreme caution when it comes to so called Spy-phone!

Did you know that all smartphones are designed to spy on people, their mood, motion, thoughts, words, etc. You just don't know it but it's there. As an example, having finger print scan on the phones are not for your security. It's for govm agencies to have your full bio records an you know that iris scan can be done via the front camera! Don't you?

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Hans Stuhrmann

Uhhhhh... spooky. And the sky is full of chemtrail planes spraying funny stuff on us that make us buy these spyphones.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

ozturert

Soon the European carriers will hesitate to sell American-sourced phones over spying concerns

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Dirk Nuary

Google was also spying you more deeply

Jan 12, 2018permalink

(unknown member)

Google nad MIcrosoft...but who to turn to?
Apple? You Must Be Joking!
We have the 1984 now whether we want it or not and only thing that can save us is incompetence.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

jnd

For desktop Linux where you have full control of your system. On phones it's more difficult. There have been several attempts on open source phones or alternative OS like FirefoxOS, some Ubuntu version, and what not. There are couple devices available but you have to pay the premium for small series ahdn crafted product. In the end you always have to use complex hardware chips which are full of NDAs, without public documentation. Even the Intel CPUs have management engine running indepedently on your system.

So it can be done but for most people it's worth the hassle and then the time spent in self supporting the device on various forums. At least we still have the choice...

Jan 12, 2018permalink

cosinaphile

will it spy on us more ...less,... or the same as the NSA ?

at this point im more suspicious of AT&T than huawei ... i can grasp what the phone is up to ...ATT not so much

will they try to sell me what i looked at b and h photo for a few moments today in a dozen ads tommorrow ? by a dozen advertising bots...?. it usually makes me want it less

Jan 12, 2018*permalink

FunkyBrewster

I got a Huawei phone last year after wondering about whether there were any backdoors or spying hardware. I couldn't find any evidence, or even any rumors that made me suspicious. On the other hand, it is documented (and admitted in fine print) that platforms many free apps like simple games and even Shazam run on ask for permission to mics and cameras, and can use that to track what you're doing/interested in. I'm more worried about Shazam, but it's so useful I don't want to uninstall it.
AT&T has always had a complicated relationship with the US government, and there's a bit of a revolving door situation, so that may have something to do with the trust issue (see opensecrets.org's info).
BUT, everyone needs to decide for themselves how to protect their privacy so if you aren't comfortable with something, don't buy it.

Jan 12, 2018*permalink

Agreed.

Jan 14, 2018*permalink

zakk9

Spy on Americans for what? Most American products are made in China anyway, and those that aren't are copied on a continuous basis.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

lighthunter80

@dpreview, the image shows the 'Mate 10' but the specs in the article are from the 'Mate 10 Pro'. Those are two different devices and the 'Mate 10' for instance was only issued on Asian markets and Australia. The 'Pro' model is the more international one.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

RogueSwan

A bit pointless when people post everything (positive anyway) about their lives on countless social media platforms :-)

Jan 12, 2018permalink

nicolaiecostel

Yeah but if you're a journalist, in the military, in the secret services or working on any position in a firm that might have a chinese rival, it's not as harmless, is it ?!

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Henry McA

That´s a negligible minority, that already knows how to protect itself.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Martin JC

Perhaps some sources / references / independent verification of the threat?

I'm sure it cannot be protectionism of domestic phone brands (looking at you Apple....)

Jan 12, 2018permalink

kayphoto

US carriers are very closed door and protective of American brands. In the late 90s and still now it's so hard to find foreign mobile brands, let say go shopping at Walmart, Target, Costco, etc but in other countries consumers are so free to buy any phones and free to pop in any sims. They also do "credit check", "deposit for bad credit", and worst of all "locked" those these damn phones up for many years! It's like a dictatorship mix with Communism, example, my iPhone. I wish iOS was in a Nokia, Samsung or Sharp body phones. It's all politics.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

onlooker

"and it's Leica-branded dual camera" -- "its"

Jan 12, 2018permalink

https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/31/16072786/amazon-blu-suspended-android-spyware-user-data-theft

Here is just one example about DPR's parent company AMAZON:

"Amazon suspends sales of Blu phones for including preloaded spyware, again.
This keeps happening"

"...spying software from Chinese company Shanghai Adups Technology was still present on certain Blu handsets. The software leaves users vulnerable to remote takeovers and having their text messages and call logs recorded, as well as other forms of discrete data collection..."

Jan 12, 2018*permalink

While Shanghai Adups Technology seems having no connection with Chinese communist government on the surface, but Huawei certainly does as seen:

"In the US, Huawei has been challenged by various entities of the American government and security officials that Huawei-made telecommunications equipment is designed to allow unauthorized access by the Chinese government and the Chinese People's Liberation Army..."

Jan 12, 2018*permalink

Gul Dukat

The senate just approved the spying bill

Jan 12, 2018permalink

steelhead3

I wonder if the embedded circuitry is spying on us and the computer slow down patches we have all heard about is the NSA at work?

Jan 12, 2018permalink

Albert Valentino

All iPhones, and iPads, Macs... are made in China 🇨🇳

Jan 12, 2018permalink

MyReality

They are designed in the US, but assembled in China under strict Apple supervision and testing.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

RogueSwan

and those supervising and testing would never, ever take a bribe ...

Jan 12, 2018permalink

quiquae

@RogueSwan Bribery is unlikely to help in this case.

1) It would be nearly impossible for the Chinese government to plant any hostile hardware component in an iOS device during assembly. The existing parts in iPhones are so complex and advanced that the Chinese government will have a very tough time designing and manufacturing a completely equivalent but bugged clone before the phone model is discontinued, and while it is theoretically possible to add an eavesdropping component on top of existing circuitry to monitor electronics traffic, there is physically no space in iPhones or iPads to put one.

2) Modifying the system software is somewhat more realistic. However, iOS gets updated frequently, wiping everything in the process, and each iOS update checks the integrity of the underlying firmware too. Anyway, why would the Chinese government take this kind of risk when they can attack remote vulnerabilities, which do not need anything planted in the factory?

Jan 12, 2018permalink

quiquae

3) Even if 1) and 2) were possible, the Chinese spies can only afford to compromise a small number of handsets, because their entire effort will go to waste if Apple notices bugged handsets leaving the factory. So they need to make sure that compromised handsets end up in the hands of important people, and not irrelevant joe blows like quiquae. To do that, though, you will need to bribe Apple distribution chain globally, not just their Chinese factory. Not very effective.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

quiquae - you seems to be very naive ;)

Jan 12, 2018permalink

quiquae

@LadisalvCZ Thank you for the compliment. Here's a roll of tinfoil for your hat.

Jan 12, 2018permalink

eyeport

I have heard too many good things about huawei phones....but I am still skeptical about android devices because of my horrible experience with Sony Xperia phones...they are just so darn slow after a few month of use.

Jan 12, 2018permalink