Samsung's hidden surveillance app raises alarms across MENA region

Social Media Exchange (SMEX), a nonprofit advocating for digital rights in West Asia and North Africa, has raised concerns about a surveillance threat posed by Israeli-linked software pre-installed on Samsung smartphones across the MENA region.

Pre-installed app collects user data without consent

SMEX has revealed that Samsung’s A and M series devices either come preloaded with the app “Aura” or automatically install it via system updates without users’ consent. Developed by the Israeli tech firm IronSource, the app collects extensive personal and device-specific data, such as IP addresses, hardware details, device fingerprints, and network information.

The collected data can identify users with alarming precision, especially when Aura-enabled apps track location data. This is particularly concerning in a region where Israel has faced accusations of using technology for surveillance and targeted violence.

App removal nearly impossible for users

While Aura claims users can disable data collection through its privacy settings by turning off “AppCloud,” SMEX reports that removing the app entirely is nearly impossible. The process requires submitting a form that does not exist, leaving only users with advanced technical knowledge capable of deleting it.

Controversial partnership with Israeli firm IronSource

Samsung’s partnership with IronSource began in 2022, with the Aura software promoted as a feature to “enhance user experience” by offering AI-driven app recommendations. However, the app’s covert data collection has raised serious privacy concerns.

Surveillance technology linked to past attacks

The implications of such technology became evident in September 2024 when Israel carried out a deadly attack in Lebanon using remotely detonated devices. The attack, which killed 42 people and injured over 3,500, highlighted the dangers of digital proximity to targeted individuals. Critics fear that data collected by apps like Aura could be weaponized in similar ways, putting the lives of innocent users at risk.

SMEX’s warning underscores the growing need for transparency and accountability in how technology companies handle user data, especially in regions marked by political and security tensions.