cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/36145028
A nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing human rights in digital spaces across West Asia and North Africa — is warning that Israeli-linked software secretly embedded in Samsung phones across the MENA region poses a serious surveillance threat.
According to SMEX, Samsung’s A and M series devices either come preloaded with the app “Aura” or install it automatically through system updates, without the user’s consent. The application reportedly collects a wide range of personal and device-specific data, including IP addresses, device fingerprints, hardware details, and network information.
In 2022, Samsung MENA partnered with Israeli tech company IronSource, integrating its Aura software into Galaxy A and M series phones across the region. The partnership was publicly marketed as a way to “enhance user experience” with AI-powered apps and content suggestions.
They would likely be detected by modern airport security if they put in actual explosives.
All battery powered devices go through the scanner separately.
The israeli pager/walkie-talkie attack’s tampered equipments (filled with explosives) completely bypassed airport security…
Actually that is true. So you are right they probably could easily rig phones.
Yes, i mentioned in my comment how they’d be easier to detect.