Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi declares that the encrypted communication application Telegram is dangerous and prohibits its installation on its smartphones in an entire country.
If the Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi is best known for its smartphones, it is sometimes talked about on censorship issues. For example, the brand was accused at one time of remotely detecting and censoring certain words on its devices, which it denied. Today, many platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Twitchand many social networks like Facebook or X (Twitter) are not accessible in China on its devices, except through a VPN.
When releasing its MIUI 13 software overlay in 2022, Xiaomi announces the integration of a security tool analyzing and blocking the installation of applications deemed “dangerous”. It’s today Telegram who bears the cost. Chinese users report that secure messaging is no longer trusted by Xiaomi’s system, which prohibits its installation on all smartphones of the brand in the country.
Xiaomi prevents installing Telegram on its smartphones in China
Now the telegram download page displays a message that “the app has not passed Xiaomi’s security check”. It is cataloged as “dangerous” and “risky for the user”. Security flaws on Telegram exist, but to declare it dangerous seems excessive. It is more likely that China seeks to stem opportunities to discuss without being monitored. THE end-to-end encrypted messaging are therefore a target of choice insofar as it is theoretically impossible to know what is being said on them.
Read also – Xiaomi blocks the installation of Google services on its smartphones in China
The situation could even be worse than that. According to one source, MIUI contacts the police if you try to install an unauthorized application like Telegram. In one case, someone got a call from the police because they just installed porn apps on their Xiaomi device. These bans remain limited to China and should not affect Xiaomi smartphones sold in the rest of the world.
Source: BleepingComputer