OnePlus faces investigation in the US over suspected data leaks to China
US congressmen have called on the US Department of Commerce to launch an investigation into Chinese company OnePlus over suspicions of a possible leak of personal data. The reason is the possible transfer of sensitive information from OnePlus phones to servers in China. This was reported by Phandroid.
The appeal was initiated by members of the House Committee on China, John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi. In the letter, which was obtained by Reuters, they refer to a report by a commercial analytical company. According to the report, OnePlus smartphones can collect screenshots and other sensitive data without user consent.
Of particular concern is that such information can be transferred to servers physically located in China. This is a serious privacy risk, given the new restrictions introduced by the US Department of Justice in April 2025. These rules significantly restrict data transfers to countries considered strategic rivals, including China.
OnePlus smartphones are sold all over the US - on Amazon, Best Buy, and through T-Mobile and Verizon - which only increases the concern of lawmakers.
What threatens the company
Congressmen are demanding that the ICTS programme of the Department of Commerce, which regulates information and communication technologies and services, should look into the issue. The inspection should determine what kind of data is collected, whether users are informed about it, and whether it is actually transferred outside the US.
If the facts are confirmed, the consequences could be serious - up to a ban on the sale of OnePlus devices in the US market. At least, this is the scenario that Huawei and ZTE once faced, which were put on the US sanctions list after similar investigations.
OnePlus has not yet officially commented on the situation.
Context.
This is not the first time that Chinese tech companies have been at the centre of cybersecurity and data breach scandals. Huawei lost access to US technology after several investigations in the US and effectively lost the Western smartphone market.
The near future will show whether OnePlus will repeat this scenario.
Source: Phandroid
