The government of China is taking action against mobile phones pre-installed with malware that sneakily rack up user fees by triggering various fee-based mobile services.
The ministry is targeting what it called "money sucking" phones, which are installed with software that triggers fee-based mobile services without users' knowledge.
The phones with the problem are brand name knock-offs built using the Android operating system, said Zhao Wei, CEO of Chinese security company Knownsec. Each month, the phones will spend only about 2 yuan (US$0.30) in text messages or other mobile services. The small amount ensures that users will not take notice, he said.
'Money sucking' phones in China spur government action
(via Chris Wysopal)
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Once again, China proves itself to be an enemy of free-market entrepreneurialism.
Looks like AT&T operates in China too? They did this on some of their phones in the USA. Of course, instead of the government coming in to stop them from ripping people off, there was a class-action lawsuit. Of course, it settled, so that in the end you get a $5 coupon or something off of an AT&T phone of your choice.