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    Samsung embeds IronSource spyware app on phones across WANA

    (smex.org)
    845 points the-anarchist | 11 comments | 21 Jun 25 03:06 UTC | HN request time: 1.061s | source | bottom
    1. the-anarchist ◴[21 Jun 25 04:05 UTC] No.44334404[source]▶
    As this post is trending quicker and more than I would have expected it to, I would like to add to this story:

    It appears to be a similar case across the MENA region. While the SMEX post primarily focuses on WANA, it is possible to find other reports (e.g. [1]) from the MENA region that describe similar practices by Samsung. There, however, the stories talk about "Aura", rather than "AppCloud".

    [1] https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2025/06/212144/samsung-embe...

    replies(4): >>44334415 #>>44334453 #>>44335007 #>>44336302 #
    2. eddythompson80 ◴[21 Jun 25 04:08 UTC] No.44334415[source]▶
    What is the difference between WANA and MENA. Sounds like the same territory
    replies(1): >>44334455 #
    3. averysmallbird ◴[21 Jun 25 04:17 UTC] No.44334453[source]▶
    Same same. SMEX is based in Lebanon — (S)WANA is an obnoxious term that’s going around for MENA.
    replies(1): >>44334541 #
    4. the-anarchist ◴[21 Jun 25 04:17 UTC] No.44334455[source]▶
    Yes, but, no. It's one of these things where multiple terms mean the same thing but then again come from different times/areas and, upon closer inspection, mean different things. But they're the same. But not really. [1]

    A.k.a. I tried to be as politically correct and cite the term used by the respective reporting. The main point I was trying to bring across was that apparently there are two apps involved, not only a single one.

    [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East_and_North_Africa

    replies(1): >>44334597 #
    5. Mistletoe ◴[21 Jun 25 04:35 UTC] No.44334541[source]▶
    We don't know what any of these acronyms mean!
    replies(2): >>44334915 #>>44334962 #
    6. eddythompson80 ◴[21 Jun 25 04:48 UTC] No.44334597{3}[source]▶
    Ah, I see. Trying to find a way to include Pakistani, Afghanistan, Somalia i.e non-Arab or Persian Muslim states in the vicinity.
    7. hmcq6 ◴[21 Jun 25 05:56 UTC] No.44334915{3}[source]▶
    MENA - Middle East & North Africa

    WANA - West Asia & North Africa

    SMEX - "a non-profit that advocates for and advances human rights in digital spaces across West Asia and North Africa." (from their website)

    replies(1): >>44335373 #
    8. bapak ◴[21 Jun 25 06:07 UTC] No.44334962{3}[source]▶
    "Arab countries"
    9. ehnto ◴[21 Jun 25 06:15 UTC] No.44335007[source]▶
    Was installed on my device bought in Australia as well.
    10. more-nitor ◴[21 Jun 25 07:15 UTC] No.44335373{4}[source]▶
    "non-profit" doesn't mean "this guys are morally right and only conveys truths"

    it just means that they don't pay taxes

    11. nacos ◴[21 Jun 25 10:23 UTC] No.44336302[source]▶
    I used to manage an enterprise fleet of mobile devices.

    This AppCloud crap has also been pushed to devices in the Europe Open Market.

    I also know that this shouldn't have been installed on enterprise devices (either Android Enterprise managed by MDM or E-FOTA managed - don't remember exactly). We had an akward conversation with some Samsung representatives..