Study: Xiaomi 5G mobile phone censors anti-Beijing terms

Xiaomi mobile phones were found to have a built-in ability to automatically detect and censor over 449 terms, prompting accusations of censorship. 

Lithuania's National Cyber Security Centre discovered that Xiaomi's Mi 10T 5G phone could dtect and censor phrases including 'Free Tibet', 'Long live Taiwan independence' and 'democracy movement'. The investigators said the software had been turned off on Xiaomi's Mi 10T 5G phone for the 'European Union region', but could be turned on remotely at any time.

The Lithuanian government recommended its citizens not to buy new Chinese phones and quickly to get rid of those already purchased. Germany’s cybersecurity watchdog, the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), initiated a technical examination on a smartphone model from Xiaomi.

Xiaomi has denied thee allegations, stating that it has never and will never restrict or block any personal behaviour of its smartphone users. However, the controversy raised concerns about Xiaomi, Chinese government interference, and the rapid expansion of Chinese technology companies across Europe.

Investigations, assessments, audits 🧐

• NSCS (2023). Assessment of cybersecurity of mobile devices supporting 5G technology sold in Lithuania (pdf) 

News, commentary, analysis 🗞️

• https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/lithuania-says-throw-away-chinese-phones-due-censorship-concerns-2021-09-21/

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-58652249

• https://news.sky.com/story/lithuanian-defence-ministry-urges-people-to-throw-away-chinese-phones-after-discovering-censorship-tools-12414319

• https://www.nationalreview.com/2021/09/americans-invest-in-chinese-censorship/

• https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/22/lithuania-tells-citizens-to-throw-out-chinese-phones-over-censorship-concerns

• https://thenextweb.com/news/xiaomi-censorship-phone-lithuanian-report

• https://www.dw.com/en/lithuania-cybersecurity-agency-warns-against-chinese-made-phones/a-59266470