Realme 11 Pro and Realme 11 Pro+ Update: Disable Additional Intelligent Services Setting Following Backlash

A software update for the Realme 11 Pro series, including the recently released Realme 11 Pro 5G and Realme 11 Pro+ 5G, disables a privacy feature previously enabled by default on the company's devices. The upgrade comes days after a public uproar over a setting for a smartphone feature running the Realme UI 4.0 interface that claimed to improve the user experience by learning how the device was used to optimise its capabilities. A government investigation could be opened into it.

Realme Disable the Enhanced Intelligent Services functionality

Realme started distributing the RMX3771_13.1.0.524 (EX01) upgrade for the Realme 11 Pro 5G on Tuesday, while the RMX3741_13.1.0.524 (EX01) update is being distributed for the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G. According to the official changelog for both smartphones, these updates enhance system stability and power consumption when using the camera and disable the Enhanced Intelligent Services functionality, which will now be switched off by default.

Notably, the disputed Enhanced Intelligent Services feature's description was revised once Realme 11 Pro and Realme 11 Pro+ handsets were updated to the most recent software version. Before this change, the setting said that the smartphone would record call logs, text messages, calendar events, and app usage statistics.

The update description states that the function will request the Location permission to process location information and app usage data locally on the device. Yet, the toggle for the Enhanced Intelligent Services feature is deactivated by default after installation. The setting also states that this gives cellphones the Optimised charging capability.

The fresh update was released a few days later

The fresh update was released a few days after the setting was identified in a YouTube video review of the smartphone. The assertions made by the user would be tested and checked by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), according to Minister of State for Information Technology and Electronics Rajeev Chandrasekhar, after a user on Twitter provided a screenshot of the video.

Realme denied the data collecting

In response, Realme denied the data collecting and said the feature was made to enhance performance for longer battery life and temperature performance. Despite the feature's description, the smartphone manufacturer claimed the system did not gather information on SMS, calls, or schedules. Realme added that the processed data was encrypted, saved locally on the device, and was not sent to the cloud.

How can Realme Users check the default Setting?

Users can check if the setting is, by default, disabled after installing the update by going to Settings > Additional Settings > System Services > Enhanced Intelligent Services. After applying the update for the Realme 11 Pro series, it is confirmed that the toggle was off by default and that the updated description did not include the collection of calendar events and statistics relating to calls and text messages.