Initially, AppCloud was just an added annoyance for Galaxy A, M and F users: a service that displays app recommendations when setting up the phone and is very difficult to deactivate. But for Samsung, it is a source of additional revenue on certain models with very low margins. Nothing very new in the world of mobile bloatware.
Bloatware turned political problem
But the situation became explosive when eyes turned to the company that develops AppCloud: ironSource, founded in Israel and now owned by Unity. In certain regions, notably in Africa, the Middle East and India, this affiliation generates questions and fears. The concern is based on several points: AppCloud is deeply integrated into the system, it cannot normally be uninstalled, and even its deactivation can be reversed by a simple update. Removal requires ADB commands, a manipulation beyond the reach of the majority of users.
It is in this context that a Lebanese digital rights organization, SMEX, sent an open letter to Samsung. Her analysis is harsh: according to her, AppCloud collects “ sensitive data ”, including biometric information, IP addresses and unique identifiers, all without explicit consent. The NGO recalls that such a forced installation would be incompatible with the GDPR in Europe, but also with several data protection laws in the WANA region (the countries of Western Asia and North Africa).
SMEX also denounces the total lack of transparency. Neither Samsung nor ironSource have published a clear privacy policy for AppCloud, and there is no easy way for the user to escape it. The organization emphasizes that the presence of software developed by an Israeli company raises “ legal and ethical implications » in countries where Israel is not allowed to operate commercially, such as in Lebanon.
IronSource’s past practices add to the suspicion: its old “installCore” service, formerly used on Windows and macOS, had allowed the installation of third-party software without explicit information, to the point of being classified as a “potentially unwanted program” by several anti-malware tools.
In its letter, SMEX asks for four things: the publication of a comprehensive privacy policy, a real uninstallation option, a justification for systematic pre-installation, and an end to this practice on future models. The NGO also requests a meeting with Samsung teams to clarify the situation. For the moment, the manufacturer has not commented. But faced with the growing controversy and bad buzz on social networks, Samsung could be forced to offer at least a way to permanently deactivate AppCloud. Nothing has been decided, but the pressure is mounting.
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