Samsung disables customer phones remotely, holds data hostage until Mexican government stepped in

limerod@reddthat.commod to Android@lemdro.id – 189 points – Samsung disables customer phones remotely, holds data hostage until Mexican government stepped in
youtu.be

I knew devices were getting blocked, but not to this extent. Or the fact that mexico's own government/regulatory bodies condemned the blocking itself.

Here's a written article (not English): https://pisapapeles.net/bloqueo-celulares-mexico/

Xioami is the only one (in the list) that sent a notification but didn't block any function or the device itself: https://www.gearrice.com/update/xiaomi-affirms-that-it-is-not-blocking-mobile-phones-purchased-on-the-gray-market-in-mexico-even-though-it-continues-to-be-a-problem/

22

Wtf. There are some features my Samsung has that I don't want to give up but this outweighs everything. It's shocking that this functionality was ready for use in the software of many brands to begin with. I wonder if it could be disabled ahead of time without replacing the os/rooting..

You would have to dig deeper to see which system services and apps would need to be disabled and repeat those steps after every update. The simplest solution would be to flash a custom ROM.

Custom ROMs? In new Samsung devices? Is that even possible?

Depends on the model, and even if you can get a custom rom on it, some of them will lose certain features with an unlocked bootloader. It's not impossible to unlock them, but Samsung will kick and scream and break shit the whole way. That's why it's best to aim for a manufacturer that will allow bootloader unlocking. Pixel, Motorola, Sony, and I think most of the others will help you unlock the bootloader or at the very least won't stop you. Samsung is easily the most spoiled child of the lot.

Jokes on you! My Samsung hasn't been updated in over a year!

Get a Pixel, install GrapheneOS and something like this will never happen to you. And you will also be much more private and secure.

GrapheneOS sounds really interesting, but I'd need some kind of alternative to Android Auto - could even be a new head unit with some other piece of software... Fumbling around with a small phone screen while driving is a (physical) security nightmare in and of itself.

I agree, an Android Auto alternative would be nice. I mostly use public transit, but when I occasionally have to drive, it's what I miss the most about the iPhone and its CarPlay capability.

I personally have a dedicated phone just for Android Auto and Spotify for this. It's my old OnePlus 3T running LineageOS. I hotspot my main phone to my other phone to get data to the phone.

For those with limited hotspot data plans, there are apps that helps you mask that you're hotspoting without the need for root, such as TetherFi

It is still kinda inconvenient though, but better than nothing. I drive a lot, so Android Auto really helps.

Hmm. My old phone died after hitting the floor, unfortunately... Maybe there's some older, relative it capable device I could find...

To be perfectly honest though, I'm having so many issues with AA I'm not too attached to the specific product. It's been randomly dropping its connection and reconnecting ever since I bought that car (2017 Hyundai), and nothing works to fix it. I tried multiple phones, tons of cables of variable quality, a wireless adapter, none of it fixes it. Meanwhile, my wife's iPhone is working perfectly great on the same head unit and USB port. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I just don't know of any half decent alternative...