After backlash from the users, realme has started rolling out a new software update (RMX3771_13.1.0.524(EX01) and RMX3741_13.1.0.524(EX01)) for the latest realme 11 Pro 5G and realme 11 Pro+ 5G smartphones that disable Enhanced Intelligent Services feature that was enabled by default.
The changelog also mentions that it has changed the description of the service. In the new description, realme has removed mention of collection of app usage statistics, calendar events and statistics about unread messages and missed calls.
This comes after the Union Minister of State for Electronics and Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar tweeted that he will look into the matter after a user reported that the user’s data are collected without permission.
However, realme says that it doesn’t collect any data, and added that all the data in the service are processed locally. In a statement, the company said:
All data processed in this service is encrypted and stored in encrypted hardware within the user’s device, strictly in compliance with Android security mechanisms. It doesn’t collect data like SMS, phone calls, and schedules, even though the settings.
After the update, the description now mentions only about enhancing the user experience based on how you use the device. For the optimised charging feature, it will process local information and app usage statistics locally on the device and obtain location permission, reads the description.
Some users have reported that the service is enabled by default in other realme devices as well as any OnePlus phones, including the OnePlus 11. Even several OPPO phones have it, and in an official statement, OPPO says the users they can disable it manually. Hope these phones will also get an update to disable it by default.