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How To Prevent Xiaomi From Spying On You And Stealing Your Data

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In this post, we will show you how to prevent Xiaomi from spying on you and stealing your data.

Xiaomi is a high-end budget smartphone producer with popular phone brands to its credit. However, there have been controversies of data theft and accusations of Xiaomi spying on users' activities. 

Cybersecurity researchers Garbi Cirlig and Andrew Tierney have reported several data breaches associated with the Redmi Note 8 and the Mi Browser with the browser collecting users' data while browsing in Incognito mode.

Although Xiaomi denied allegations of it collecting users' data and spying on their browsing activities, it mentioned that data are collected with users' consent, and such data are collected as anonymous data and used for internal analysis, and no Personally Identifiable Information is linked to collected data. 

If you're a Xiaomi phone user, here are ways you can protect your data and privacy on Xiaomi and Mi browsers.

READ ALSO: Best Antivirus For Xiaomi Phone [Tested, Reviewed & Ranked]

How To Stop Xiaomi From Stealing Your Data And Spying On You

How To Stop Xiaomi From Stealing Your Data And Spying On You

Data collection is turned on by default for most default apps on the Xiaomi smartphone brand. Hence, to prevent Xiaomi from collecting your data, you have to turn off default data collection for each of the pre-installed apps on your Xiaomi smartphone. That way, you can prevent Xiaomi spying activities.

Editor's Note: Recover Lost Data With UltData Android Data Recovery

How To Stop Mi Browser From Collecting Data Even In Incognito Mode

  1. Launch the Xiaomi Mi Browser app on your phone
  2. Tap on the hamburger menu icon at the top-right of your screen
  3. Tap on the ‘Settings’ icon in the menu options
  4. Search for ‘Advanced’ in the ‘Settings’ menu
  5. In the Advanced' menu, tap on ‘Privacy & Security.'
  6. Toggle off the ‘Personalized services’ button to prevent Mi browser from collecting and sending your data to Xiaomi’s server. 

If you do not trust the Mi browser not to collect your data remotely, you can disable Mi Browser in the app settings.

READ ALSO: How to Use Windows 7 Forever

How To Disable Xiaomi’s MIUI From Collecting Your Data

Xiaomi's MIUI (Mi User Interface) collects your data to serve you with personalized ads. You can prevent MIUI from collecting your data by revoking MIUI's data collection privileges by taking the following steps.

  1. Launch the Settings app on your Xiaomi phone
  2. Scroll through and tap on ‘Additional Settings'
  3. In the ‘Additional Settings’ page, tap on ‘Authorization & revocation
  4. Toggle off the MSA (MIUI System Ads) button.
  5. Follow the prompt and wait for 10 seconds, after which you can now tap on ‘Revoke.'
  6. If you get a ‘Couldn’t Revoke Authorization’ message, make sure your data is turned on and retry again.

To disable ad services and data usage collection,

  1. Go back to step iii, in the ‘Additional Settings' page, tap on ‘Privacy.'
  2. In the ‘Privacy menu,’ toggle off the ‘User Experience Program’ and ‘Send diagnostic data automatically’ to prevent Xiaomi from sending your data remotely to its server.
  3. Also, tap on the ‘Ad Services' in the ‘Additional Settings' and ‘Disable' ‘Personalized Ad Recommendations' to prevent Xiaomi from collecting your data to serve you with ads.

READ ALSO: How To Remove Apps On Android And iOS Devices

How To Disable Mi Security From Sending Data Usage Report

How To Disable Mi Security From Sending Data Usage Report

  1. Launch the Mi Security app on your phone
  2. Tap the Mi Security ‘Settings’ app (a gear-shaped icon at the top-right of your screen
  3. In the Security Settings menu, disable ‘Receive Recommendations’
  4. Head back to the main Security Settings menu and tap on ‘Data Usage.'
  5. Toggle off the ‘Report data usage info button.’

To improve your privacy and data security, you should disable or turn off data collections and recommendations for the following apps. 

  1. Cleaner
  2. File manager
  3. Lockscreen Ads
  4. Mi downloads
  5. Music and Video players
  6. Home screen ads in MIUI
  7. Disable spammy notifications from apps by long-pressing and toggling off the app notification.

READ ALSO: Spyware Guide: The Invisible Intruder Lurking in Your Devices

Conclusion – How To Prevent Xiaomi Spying

Following the steps above is a sure-fire way of preventing Xiaomi from collecting and sending your data remotely to its servers while you enjoy a fantastic User Experience on your Xiaomi device.


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Daniel Segun
Daniel Segunhttp://techsegun.com
Daniel Segun is the Founder and CEO of SecureBlitz Cybersecurity Media, with a background in Computer Science and Digital Marketing. When not writing, he's probably busy designing graphics or developing websites.

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