Six months: That’s how long Ford’s CEO has been driving a Xiaomi electric vehicle. Is that a new Ford model? Nope. Xiaomi is a Chinese-owned electronics company. The Ford CEO previously called China’s auto industry an “existential threat.” I guess he got over that.
Tech with ties to China: What to avoid
Color me surprised that TikTok hasn’t been banned in the U.S. yet. Can’t stop using it? Take this simple step to keep your data from going back to China.
It’s not just apps. More than a third of the world’s electronics are produced in China. There’s a difference between products made in China and those made by companies with ties to the Communist Chinese government.
Now, before we dive in, know that there are plenty of allegations the companies below have government ties, but it’s up for debate how much the Chinese government is genuinely involved in operations. I’m sharing this to help you make more informed decisions on what you purchase and use daily.
Get my free 5-minute newsletter keeping 400,000+ people tech safe and aware.
Apps reporting back to China
TikTok is a dominant force. More than 138 million Americans use the video-sharing app owned by a company called ByteDance.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said ByteDance must comply with Chinese government laws. FBI Director Chris Wray said TikTok could be used for “influence operations” and that user data is in the hands of the Chinese government.
That’s not just conjecture. Late last year, TikTok was forced to admit that it used this same data to spy on individual Americans, including journalists. Without question, TikTok is a Trojan Horse.
At least 27 states and the federal government have banned the use of the app on government devices. My advice: If you or someone in your family insists on using TikTok, install it on a separate device, like an old smartphone. Don’t connect that device to your home network. Use a cellular connection to get online.
Several states have also banned a few other Chinese-owned apps and platforms. This list includes Weibo, WeChat, and Alibaba.
Security tip: Are you making this huge Wi-Fi mistake?
Smartphones with a line to Communist China
7 new Android 12 features to simplify your day to day
The release of a new operating system is a big deal for mobile developers. This plays a big part in their competition against each other as each tries to retain their users while enticing others to hop the fence.
Android 12 launched last month for Google Pixel phones, while Samsung, Xiaomi OnePlus and other phones that run Android will get the update in the coming months.
Android 12: 5 things you can do now that you couldn't before
The new version of Android OS was released this week, and it comes packed with new features. It’s initially released for Google’s own Pixel 3 or more recent phones, with other devices to follow soon. Tap or click here to speed up your Android with a handy app.
Android is getting its biggest update in years - Here's what's coming
We’ve entered that part of the year where Big Tech companies reveal their upcoming products. Apple kicked things off a few weeks ago with iOS news, and Google has now entered the fray with updates on Android.
Unsurprisingly, the highlight of Google’s annual I/O conference was details about the upcoming Android 12. Tap or click here for details on Google’s annual event. Don’t get too excited, though, as the operating system update is only in the beta phase for now.
Warning: These security cameras could let strangers see inside your home
Security cameras, for better or worse, are now a normal part of our daily lives. Even if they’re not expressly designed for surveillance, the cameras in nearly all of our smart devices can be exploited to this end. All it takes is just a little know-how.