In a rather unexpected twist of digital intrigue, a band of intrepid phone users, bolstered by the unwavering support of the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC), found themselves on an extraordinary quest. This daring group, numbering about forty strong, marched resolutely into the halls of Bangkok’s Central Investigation Bureau, a place where consumer protection police stood ready to heed their call.
But what drove these individuals to action? It was not just the allure of technological mysteries, but rather the unsettling discovery of pre-installed loan apps stealthily embedded within their cherished Oppo and Realme devices. These were no ordinary apps, mind you. They promised financial succor while at the same time secretly pilfering personal data, puppeteering clandestine financial transactions, and ultimately, leaving users in a disconcerting web of breaches.
Patarakorn Teepboonrat, the stalwart deputy head for consumer rights protection at the TCC, stepped up to the fore. With the solemn weight of responsibility, he revealed a startling figure: these complainants were merely a fraction of the 192 who had already raised alarms about illegal lending practices and their own battles with digital miscreants. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, not one to shy away from startling revelations, recently estimated that such pre-installed loan apps existed on an astonishing 4 million Oppo and Realme phones.
Through the clandestine tap of their thumbs, phone users had collectively borrowed a staggering 15 million baht. The debtors, now bound by unseen shackles, found themselves paying installment after installment into accounts—accounts linked to Thai-registered entities with shadowy ties to foreign networks. It was a modern-day financial mystery that spanned borders and breached trust.
TCC’s legal mastermind, Jina Yam-uam, offered a beacon of hope amidst this digital storm. With unwavering resolve, she set forth plans to guide this group of embattled users on a path of litigation—a path that would seek justice and reparations not just locally but also against the far-flung app owners and their elusive Thai proxies. Compensation would be claimed for each individual, restoring dignity and balance to those wronged.
The controversy thickened when revelations arose of apps either pre-installed on these mobile warriors or, more insidiously, installed automatically during operating system updates. Distributors of these devices faced a clarion call to unveil the puppeteers behind these financial conduits, to cleanse themselves of culpability and restore trust to their users.
Adding fuel to the fiery dispute was Pornwut Pipatanadetsak of the TCC, who highlighted the gross violation of consumer rights — apps sequestered precious phone capacity without a speck of consent, impossible to uninstall, yet having ominously easy access to users’ most personal of data.
In the midst of this unprecedented uproar, there stood Patipol Putthachuchart, a 31-year-old digital explorer turned complainant, who recounted his own discovery of specters within: pre-installed apps such as Fineasy, and others that seemed to breed on his Oppo phone with unchecked abandon as software updates brought forth a cavalcade of what appeared to be gambling apps.
Undeterred, the consumer council turned towards the formidable brands Oppo and their subsidiary, Realme, demanding explanations, calling for transparency about the potentially rogue, pre-installed apps that not only intruded but breached — breaching phones, breaching trust, and opening an unbidden window straight into the users’ lives.
This is outrageous! I’ve bought Oppo because I trusted the brand, and now they are selling us out!
Totally agree, Larry. Are these companies even aware of their customers’ concerns?
I doubt it, grower134. Unless they face serious consequences, they’ll just keep sweeping this under the rug.
Selling out? It’s called corporate greed. It’s everywhere, people!
True, Jane, but it doesn’t make it any less shocking when it affects you personally.
Isn’t it crazy that 15 million baht has been borrowed through these apps? That’s a staggering number!
It just shows how many people are desperate for help, though. Unless access to safe credit improves, these apps will thrive.
Easy for users to blame the companies, but the real villains here are those hiding in the shadows, exploiting users.
But the companies should have better security measures to prevent these exploits, don’t you think?
Of course, but it’s like expecting a fox not to raid the henhouse if you leave the doors wide open.
I’m seriously considering switching brands. Trust has been broken, and they’re playing with our data!
Before you jump ship, Tina, make sure the new brand doesn’t have the same issues!
If only there was a phone company that didn’t engage in shady practices, right?
I still don’t get how these apps can install without consent. Is this a loophole in the OS?
Most probably, Alice. These companies probably have deals with app developers to embed junk.
It’s not just about deals; there’s a lack of regulation on this kind of software embedding.
Why are people blaming Oppo and Realme? The consumers should be careful about what they access on their phones!
Henry, that’s not entirely fair. Many users aren’t tech-savvy enough to spot these traps.
My biggest fear is that what’s happening in Thailand could happen anywhere else as well.
Exactly, Larry. This could be just the tip of the iceberg globally.
I’ve heard about this happening before. People really need to learn about tech safety.
Has anyone thought about suing Oppo and Realme? We need to hit them where it hurts!
The TCC is planning litigation, Diva. It’ll be interesting to see if it actually goes anywhere.
Nothing surprises me anymore with tech giants. They’ll always do whatever they please as long as there are no strict regulations.
Spot on, TechSavvy. When they get away with no accountability, it’s the same old story again.
Does anyone else think the government needs to step in and regulate these sneaky practices?
Regulation is the only way forward, otherwise, it’s just a wild west scenario.
But Oscar, governments also have limitations. Consumers have power when they act together.
Let’s not forget, these apps also consume phone memory! As if the privacy invasion wasn’t enough.