Xiaomi locks smartphones in some countries

Smartphone maker Xiaomi is actively blocking users from certain countries.

According to a techno report,
Various users with Xiaomi smartphones reported that their devices were blocked.

Users mainly from Cuba seem to be affected by this problem. But users from Syria and some other countries should also be expelled. After attempting to activate a Xiaomi device with a SIM card from an operator in the area, infected users receive the message: “Xiaomi will not allow the product to be sold or operated in the area you are trying to activate”.

Smartphones can still be launched after that, but users get information that their app does not comply with the Terms of Use in their respective country and for more information they need to contact the vendor of the device – so no specific information is provided. After that, there are only options to access WLAN settings or use the emergency call function.

Siomi bans Cuba, Syria, Sudan, Iran, North Korea and Crimea

Under the manufacturer’s terms of use, it is actually prohibited for use in various countries. These include: Cuba, Syria, Sudan, Iran, North Korea and the island of Crimea. The exact reasons are not explicitly stated. However, these are countries where the United States and other states have imposed export restrictions.

Since similar reports have only been accumulating for a short time, it can be assumed that Siomi has now begun to enforce its terms of use in these regions – before that, no cases were known. Xiaomi smartphones are only sold by importers in many areas, so the approach of the Chinese smartphone manufacturer is a novelty.

It is not yet known how Xiaomi authenticates the user’s region – the test will be performed via the SIM card, which then authenticates the regional network operator and blocks the user. It is unclear whether users can avoid the problem with alternative ROMs or open the bootloader.