spy

Tufargon · May 20, 2019

Madhungarian said:
How could any info from my Evo be transferred if I am not using my phone?

It can't be if you're not connected to wifi or cellular service and that's part of the reason why I use a tablet without wifi or cellular service as a dedicated device for my XSP. Also you're not forced to update your sh** and there is no way any information can be sent out anywhere.

Madhungarian · May 20, 2019

Tufargon said:
That's exactly what I was saying when I said "An app doesn't use a chip (it's software)."

Autel requires you to use an app also and it works with your phone. Chips may not be compatible with some apps/software. Is that what you mean? If so i'm pretty sure the Autel app/s are compatible with Huawei chips and tons of other phones/tablets with other chips.

Autel app is not written perhaps to log and send information to China like DJI.(The article specifically states DJI) When DJI app runs on a phone that has a Huawei chipset this could mean that your being spied on. This is not really new since the go app and has been known for data mining.

Yes, drone biz DJI's Go 4 app does phone home to China – sort of

But that doesn't mean it's spilling all your beans, data audit finds

www.theregister.co.uk

Tufargon · May 20, 2019

I agree. Autel's software IN the drone (or even firmware in this case which is a combination of software and hardware drivers combined) may have that hidden software/app installed on it also or even in the app on your device. I would bet dollar to dollar that Autel's drones are made in the same chinese factory as DJI so if they do it on one they'll do it on the other. The only way it can do that is if it has an IP address and it is connected to the internet somehow (wifi or cellular service). Without that it can't send the information.

Ansia · May 20, 2019

I like to fly with LTE on. So chinese men know about me?

Tufargon · May 20, 2019

Ansia said:
I like to fly with LTE on. So chinese men know about me?

Who knows.
If someone insists on having it connected to wifi/cell then they could possibly block the app/software from sending outbound information with some sort of firewall and blocking that specific app/software if it's not hidden somehow or using a vpn maybe or even a proxy. But obviously most normal people won't go that far to protecting their privacy. I've been around the hacking world for a long time (ethical hacking) and there are a lot of ways that they do these things and a lot of ways that you can avoid them and protect yourself.

Ansia · May 20, 2019

Tufargon said:
Who knows.
If someone insists on having it connected to wifi/cell then they could possibly block the app/software from sending outbound information with some sort of firewall and blocking that specific app/software if it's not hidden somehow or using a vpn maybe or even a proxy. But obviously most normal people won't go that far to protecting their privacy. I've been around the hacking world for a long time (ethical hacking) and there are a lot of ways that they do these things and a lot of ways that you can avoid them and protect yourself.

These are the settings I allow the app to run. Does it help if any? I am not paranoid, since I live a boring life, but it's always better to prevent than lament.

Tufargon · May 20, 2019

Hard to tell. It may be totally hidden like I said. You look fairly safe with WHAT WE CAN SEE. For how you live or like myself I would not worry. The only thing they would see with what you showed me (if your unit sends that info out) is your onboard storage like your pics, videos and location. Storage would be anything on the internal storage or any SD card installed likely, so whatever you put on there like apk's or anything else you put on there they could see.

Ansia · May 20, 2019

Tufargon said:
Hard to tell. It may be totally hidden like I said. You look fairly safe with WHAT WE CAN SEE. For how you live or like myself I would not worry. The only thing they would see with what you showed me (if your unit sends that info out) is your onboard storage like your pics, videos and location. Storage would be anything on the internal storage or any SD card installed likely, so whatever you put on there like apk's or anything else you put on there they could see.

Well I have the apps to pay my bills. They can pay my bills for me if they like.

Madhungarian · May 20, 2019

Ansia said:
Well I have the apps to pay my bills. They can pay my bills for me if they like.

I really do not think you can be private with a phone nowadays, they come with alot of bloatware and apps pre installed. The entities that know the most are Google, Apple and Microsoft. You can turn things off but you really cannot be 100 percent sure. (for most consumers)

Ansia · May 20, 2019

Now I am paranoid. Thank you guys! ?

Ansia · May 20, 2019

Autel pretty much asks the same permissions as DJI does. It just won't call China, like DJI does.

Nightbat2 · May 21, 2019

Is this a current story or a rehash? Can’t find anything about it down here in Oz, although in the middle of last year, there was a similar story about Australian Defence Forces. I believe they are still using DJI drones, but may or may not have in some way modified the software. Remember, you can’t use a DJI drone—at least one off the shelf—without registering. Doesn’t apply to the Evo. Anyway, as far as anyone seeing what I shoot, I hope they like pictures of rural real estate and beautiful countryside.

Jagerbomb52 · May 21, 2019

After the US took down Huawei, could DJI be next?

DHS alert warns of flight data getting sent to China

www.theverge.com

Nightbat2 · May 21, 2019

Agustine said:
After the US took down Huawei, could DJI be next?

DHS alert warns of flight data getting sent to China

www.theverge.com

Thanks. Appears somewhat vague. There are a couple of links in the story which go back to last year and even 2017,, which were about the military usage that I was referring to. Will be interesting to see where this goes.

Ansia · May 21, 2019

Guess it's time for us to hang the Chinese to dry, go buy Parrots and spy for the French.

HiloHawaiian · May 21, 2019

Ansia said:
Guess it's time for us to hang the Chinese to dry, go buy Parrots and spy for the French.

Yup. If any of you have ever held any Gov’t security clearances, you’re continually trained on known threats, industrial espionage too. France always makes the list of threats, surprisingly...

Ansia · May 21, 2019

HiloHawaiian said:
Yup. If any of you have ever held any Gov’t security clearances, you’re continually trained on known threats, industrial espionage too. France always makes the list of threats, surprisingly...

I guess that all countries are interested in spying into other countries. It doesn't come as a surprise.

Jagerbomb52 · May 21, 2019

HiloHawaiian said:
Yup. If any of you have ever held any Gov’t security clearances, you’re continually trained on known threats, industrial espionage too. France always makes the list of threats, surprisingly...

moodman · May 21, 2019

Madhungarian said:
How could any info from my Evo be transferred if I am not using my phone?

I have the same question. Can the Evo fly if it doesn't have the latest firmware? DJI can actually shut off your drone if they want to. Can Evo do this?

Madhungarian · May 21, 2019

moodman said:
I have the same question. Can the Evo fly if it doesn't have the latest firmware? DJI can actually shut off your drone if they want to. Can Evo do this?

Autel does not force updates and the software does not ground you like DJI. Updates are usually for bug fixes and improvements and there are no forced geo fencing enabled.