Xiao Mi doesn't even try to hide it. They'll send your entire gallery up, make you accept their borderline insane T&C's just to use mundane apps (file explorer comes to mind), etc. They will reset your default app associations with every update and don't even let you unlock the bootloader unless you wait up to three months in some cases - and you have to register with your personal information and IMEI in order to do it.
It's nonsense. I'm really close to getting a "dumb phone" and calling it quits for mobile.
It's nonsense. I'm really close to getting a "dumb phone" and calling it quits for mobile.