Lithuania says throw away Chinese phones due to censorship concerns (reuters.com)

Article summary

The article discusses concerns over censorship and security with Chinese phones, prompting Lithuania to advise against using them. The comments reveal that some users have replaced the stock ROM with alternative operating systems like LineageOS to address these concerns. However, others point out that even with custom ROMs, proprietary firmware and drivers may still pose security risks. The discussion highlights the complexities of ensuring security and privacy on mobile devices.

Main themes

• Chinese phone security concerns
• Custom ROMs and alternative operating systems
• Proprietary firmware and drivers
• Banking app security
• Mobile device security risks
• Baseband firmware security

What commenters say

• Replacing the stock ROM with a custom operating system like LineageOS can help mitigate security concerns with Chinese phones.
• Proprietary firmware and drivers can still pose security risks even with custom ROMs.
• Some users do not trust any proprietary firmware or operating system, and instead opt for minimal or no internet use on their phones.
• Banking apps' security measures, such as restricting rooted devices, are seen as ineffective or overly restrictive by some commenters.
• The security of mobile devices is compromised by the use of closed-source firmware and drivers, which can be exploited by manufacturers or other entities.
• Users should be cautious when using banking apps on their phones, as security measures may not be sufficient to prevent exploitation.
• The baseband firmware is a potential security risk, and it is difficult to verify its integrity or detect modifications.
• Some commenters argue that the security concerns with Chinese phones are overstated, and that other factors, such as the user's behavior and the network environment, are more important for ensuring security.