Skip to main content

To help quell privacy fears, Xiaomi shifts its international data storage out of China

Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi has started moving data related to its non-Chinese customers out of the country. The data is now stored on Amazon’s servers in the U.S. and Singapore.  Xiaomi’s Global VP, Hugo Barra wrote about the move on his Google+ page amid continued concern over privacy.

“User experience is hugely important to us,” he began. “We really care about speed and we’re also fully committed to storing our users’ data securely at all times.” The three phase project started earlier this year, and by the end of October, Xiaomi users in Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan will all be migrated over to Amazon’s data centers in California and Singapore. Barra claims the Xiaomi website and associated services will see a 20 to 30 percent speed increase.

Recommended Videos

Any speed boost is always welcome, but most users will be wondering about security. By the end of the year, data related to Xiaomi’s MIUI system — which includes cloud-based messaging and the standard Mi Account used on Xiaomi phones — will be stored on Amazon servers in Oregon and Singapore. Next year, Xiaomi will turn its attention to markets where Amazon’s servers aren’t available and set up its own infrastructure using local data centers.

Xiaomi has suffered from bad press over the past few months, with two reports accusing the firm of collecting private information without permission. The first came from security experts F-Secure, and was based on Xiaomi’s cloud messaging service, while the second comes from the Indian Air Force. In October, it issued a high-level warning that Xiaomi hardware was sending private data to servers in Beijing and warned owners not to use the devices at all.

The Chinese company hopes that shifting customer data out of China will quell fears and allow it to meet local data protection regulations, something Barra calls “A very high priority for Xiaomi as we expand into new markets over the next few years.”

Andy Boxall
Andy has written about mobile technology for almost a decade. From 2G to 5G and smartphone to smartwatch, Andy knows tech.
OnePlus Nord 5 shows Samsung how to make the perfect Galaxy S25 FE
Rwar shell of the the OnePlus Nord 5.

About three weeks ago, a rather interesting phone landed at my doorstep. It was OnePlus’ latest budget pleaser, which neither falls in the “mid-tier” segment, nor sniffs too close to the flagship summit. Yet, the value it offers at an MSRP of around $400 redefines the whole concept of the class that we often refer to as “budget flagships.” 

The Samsung Galaxy Fan Edition phones are the quintessential definition of this honor, at least for the competition-starved US market. After using the OnePlus Nord 5, I’ve come to the realization that this is what a true Fan Edition phone should look like. One that delivers where it matters, without a confoundingly high price tag slapped on the box. I believe it's a recipe for Samsung to emulate for its next Fan Edition phone.

Read more
I’m excited for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but it could let us down in one area
Google's tipped to deny its most expensive phone a top spec
Someone holding the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, showing the back of the phone.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold looks set to gain a number of significant upgrades over its predecessor including a larger display, smaller hinge, bigger battery, and improved dust resistance.

The Google Pixel 10 series is tipped to arrive in the coming months - possibly as soon as August - and we're expecting to see a quartet of new devices, including the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Read more
OnePlus 13 owners get a major new AI tool for free
Plus Mind is just the beginning of OnePlus' AI ecosystem
A person holding the OnePlus 13.

Owners of the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R smartphones are receiving a software update which includes a significant new AI feature.

OnePlus has started to roll out its Plus Mind AI tool to 13 and 13R handsets around the world, giving users the ability to receive intelligently suggesting actions while also storing the information for you to search through at a later date.

Read more