Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone maker, has received certification from TRUSTe, a subsidiary of the U.S. firm TrustArc, that confirms the company’s products are in compliance with the EU’s privacy rules outlined in the GDPR. Today’s news makes Xiaomi the first-ever Chinese enterprise to receive the certification by TRUSTe.
Over the years, Chinese smartphones have come in for criticism with some claiming that these devices do not protect users’ privacy. Most recently, Lithuania’s National Cyber Security Centre claimed that the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G has in-built censorship capabilities. Some of the software on the phone could allegedly detect as many as 449 terms such as ‘Free Tibet’ and ‘Long live Taiwan independence’ and censor them.
Commenting on the certification Xiaomi received from TRUSTe, Xiaomi’s Vice President and Chairman of Xiaomi Security and Privacy Committee, Cui Baoqiu, said:
“We regularly engage with TRUSTe, as well as other credible institutions globally to warrant that Xiaomi"s user privacy protection, including GDPR compliance, keeps improving and perfecting its practices to offer our users reliable and trustworthy products and services. I"m very pleased to see that Xiaomi has completed TRUSTe"s annual audit of GDPR privacy compliance, which demonstrates our commitment to privacy protection.”
The findings from TRUSTe should reassure people who are thinking about buying a Xiaomi phone. While not as cheap as some lesser-known Chinese phones, Xiaomi does offer good phones to those looking for a mid-range device.