Long have Android OEMs been reprimanded by reviewers and consumers for loading up smartphones with a large number of applications as bloatware. It looks like that this might be able to change, at least in China.
The Shanghai Consumer Rights Protection Commission is going after Samsung and Oppo for providing a poor experience to consumers by loading up devices with bloatware. The group did a study of over 20 devices and shortlisted the ones that provided the worst experience in terms of pre-loaded applications.
“The litigation is our latest attempt to safeguard consumers’ rights after other methods failed,” said Tao Ailian, the secretary general of the commission. “We hope it will force other companies in the sector to end the unreasonable, but common, practice of pre-installing apps without telling consumers. This is something that is very much necessary for the healthy development of the whole industry.”
The Oppo Find 7a ranked first with 71 apps that can’t be uninstalled while the Galaxy Note 3 sports 44 such applications. The commission wants to ensure that OEMs are legally obliged to label included apps on the packaging itself and to make it possible to remove the apps. Crapware proves to be a major problem in China as devices lack official Google Play Services and in their bid to provide similar functionality, OEMs load up too many applications that not just hinder usability but on occasion may also use a fair amount of data. While no decision has been taken yet, it is an interesting move towards regaining more control over the smartphone experience and it would be worthwhile to see a similar effort around the world.
[Via – ArsTechnica]