Amazon stops all BLU phone shipments/orders because of spyware.

[Elixer]

So, after selling tons of spyware infested phones, Amazon now passes the buck?

The online retailing giant told CNET that it was suspending sales of phones from Blu, known for making ultra-cheap Android handsets, due to a "potential security issue."

The move comes after security firm Kryptowire demonstrated last week how software in Blu's phones collected data and sent it to servers in China without alerting people. Blu defended the software, created by a Chinese company called Shanghai Adups Technology, and denied any wrongdoing. A company spokeswoman said at the time it "has several policies in place which take customer privacy and security seriously." She added there had been no breaches.
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"Because security and privacy of our customers is of the utmost importance, all BLU phone models have been made unavailable for purchase on Amazon.com until the issue is resolved," Amazon said in a statement.

Amazon directed customers to contact Blu's customer support.

https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-suspends-sales-of-blu-phones-due-to-privacy-concerns/

 

[DaveSimmons]

I don't see hows it's "passing the buck" though: the spyware was discovered last week, Blu said it's working as intended, Amazon said "well then, we're not going to sell them until you change your mind. "

If Amazon had kept selling them then I'd see a problem with their behavior.

Meanwhile I see a Best Buy ad for Blu here on AT.

 

[Elixer]

I don't see hows it's "passing the buck" though: the spyware was discovered last week, Blu said it's working as intended, Amazon said "well then, we're not going to sell them until you change your mind. "

If Amazon had kept selling them then I'd see a problem with their behavior.

Meanwhile I see a Best Buy ad for Blu here on AT.

They should let people return them regardless of when they bought them.

 

[DaveSimmons]

How do you know they won't, for those who ask customer service?

Also, losing Amazon sales has a chance to push Blu into changing their mind, at least for the US market. We'll have to wait and see.

 

[DaveSimmons]

ArsTechnica article with more details: https://arstechnica.com/information...n-stops-selling-some-android-phones-from-blu/

It also mentions an even worse spyphone from a different company, the Cubot X16S.

Of course Siri, Alexa and Google are spying on you much more, just not sending the data to China.

 

[gorcorps]

ArsTechnica article with more details: https://arstechnica.com/information...n-stops-selling-some-android-phones-from-blu/

It also mentions an even worse spyphone from a different company, the Cubot X16S.

Of course Siri, Alexa and Google are spying on you much more, just not sending the data to China.

Don't forget Bixby now too, is somebody going to get up in arms because it's South Korea?

 

[NutBucket]

No, because SK is a friendly nation. Plus, it's no secret that Bixby would be sending collected data back to the motherland. It only makes sense.

I'm not sure I'd be OK with a Moto phone now with Lenovo ownership and all.....