Why can’t the mobile phone’s preset software be uninstalled (people’s attention)
Our reporter Shi Yiqi
"People's Daily" (Version 07, February 06, 2023)
"A newly bought mobile phone, but the internal memory shows that it has taken up 25%" "I have never used the pre-installed software, but I receive push advertisements every day" "I have always wanted to uninstall the pre-installed software, but there is no uninstall option at all"...Many readers reported Various problems with mobile phone preset software.
These software not only occupy the memory of the mobile phone, slow down the running speed of the mobile phone, but also consume traffic and power.
"The number of preset software on mobile phones is usually more than 20, and music, short videos, reading and other software almost occupy the entire screen." Liu Liang, a reader in Xicheng District, Beijing, said that not only is there a large number of preset software, but most of them cannot be uninstalled.
The reporter's investigation found that in some brand mobile phones, music, video, and theme software are defined by manufacturers as "basic function software" and consumers cannot uninstall them.
"I contacted the customer service to inquire, and the customer service responded that it is not recommended to forcibly uninstall these preset software for the time being. The software takes up the entire screen, and most of them are not as easy to use as third-party software."
The reporter's investigation found that most mobile phone manufacturers will emphasize the large memory of the mobile phone when promoting and marketing, but they do not introduce the preset software that occupies the memory.
Such software usually takes up a lot of memory, so the actual memory of the phone is often smaller than the manufacturer claims.
Consumers generally refer to the running memory and body memory when purchasing a mobile phone. Few people care about how much memory is occupied by pre-installed software that cannot be uninstalled.
"Many preset software functions in the new mobile phone are mostly similar. There are three or four of the same type of audio and video software, and some game software. Some software will automatically open and update automatically, and the mobile phone will start to heat up after use. , and the running speed has also dropped significantly." Wang Weilin, a reader in Jing'an District, Shanghai, reported.
A mobile phone dealer said that the domestic mobile phone market is highly competitive, and preset software is one of the profit channels for mobile phone manufacturers.
At the same time, mobile phone brands' own software such as music, video, games, and shopping malls are also very important competition channels for manufacturers, which can also bring considerable profits and development space.
In response to various problems with mobile phone preset software, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Internet Information Office of the People's Republic of China issued the "Notice on Further Regulating the Preset Behavior of Mobile Smart Terminal Application Software" (hereinafter referred to as the "Notice"), requiring manufacturers to ensure that mobile phones The preset application software in the smart terminal except the basic function software can be uninstalled, and a safe and convenient uninstallation method is provided for the user to choose.
"The "Notice" clarifies that pre-installed software other than basic functions can be uninstalled, which responds to the voice of consumers and is conducive to better safeguarding consumers' right to choose." Tang Jun, a professor at the School of Public Administration, Renmin University of China, said that various Similar software is a necessary part of smartphones, but too many pre-installed software and the inability to uninstall it is a violation of consumers' rights and interests. From a legal perspective, pre-installed software violates consumers' right to independent choice and right to know.
"Software that cannot be uninstalled can also lead to problems such as memory shrinkage, deceleration, and body heat. Some software also forcibly pushes advertisements, illegally obtains personal information, and some mobile phones even have preset settings to absorb call charges, consume data, implant viruses, and send fraudulent text messages. The rogue software is beyond the scope of normal business operations." Tang Jun said.
Tang Jun suggested that standardizing mobile phone preset software requires the joint efforts of enterprises and regulatory authorities. On the one hand, the supporting standards and specifications should be revised as soon as possible to regulate the behavior of manufacturers with technical standards; on the other hand, the entire chain supervision system of application software should be improved.
"Work together from application software presetting and distribution, strengthen security testing in the network access link, strengthen application software management in the operation link, and promote the safe, orderly, and healthy development of the mobile Internet and smart terminal industries." Tang Jun said. .
(Wang Xiaozhu participated in the interview and writing)