OPPO Thailand faces Legal Action Over Alleged Involvement with Illegal Loan Apps
Table of Contents
- OPPO Thailand faces Legal Action Over Alleged Involvement with Illegal Loan Apps
- The Allegations: A Deep Dive
- A Call for Accountability
- Key Points at a Glance
- What’s Next?
In a shocking turn of events, OPPO Thailand has come under fire for its alleged involvement with illegal loan applications that have exploited consumers and violated their rights. The Consumer Council has announced plans to file a class action lawsuit against the tech giant, alongside Realme, for enabling these predatory practices.
The controversy began when OPPO Thailand held a press conference on January 17th, denying any direct involvement with third-party loan apps. However, the company failed to provide transparent facts about the developers or operators of these apps, leaving consumers and authorities dissatisfied.
Mr. Pornwut Pipattanadesak, Head of the Policy and Innovation Department at the Consumer Council, stated, “The Consumer Council will proceed with filing a class action lawsuit to help victims of illegal money lending apps. Including reporting legal action against OPPO and Realme after discovering behaviour that seriously violates consumer rights.”
The Allegations: A Deep Dive
The Consumer Council has outlined seven critical points highlighting the severity of the issue. here’s a breakdown of the key allegations:
1. exorbitant Interest Rates
Consumers have reported being charged interest rates as high as 2,600% per year, far exceeding the legal limit of 36% per year set by the Bank of Thailand (BoT).One victim shared, “Interest was charged even before the first installment of the loan was received, causing the actual money to be received less than the loan amount.”
This blatant violation of the Act Prohibiting the Charging of Interest in Excess of the 2017 Rate could result in imprisonment for up to two years or fines of up to 200,000 baht.
2. aggressive Debt Collection Practices
Complaints have also surfaced about debt collection tactics that involve contacting the borrower’s friends and family, causing meaningful embarrassment. Such practices violate the Debt Collection Act 2015, which prohibits actions that damage an individual’s reputation.
one of the most alarming allegations is the unauthorized access to personal data.When users opened loan apps pre-installed on OPPO phones, they were asked for excessive permissions, including access to camera, photos, contact lists, and location data.
This misuse of personal information violates the Personal Data Protection Act 2019 (PDPA), prompting the Consumer Council to call on the Office of the Personal Data Protection Board (PDC) and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) to take immediate action.
A Call for Accountability
The Consumer Council has urged relevant agencies, including the police and BoT, to expedite legal proceedings against OPPO and Realme. Mr. Pornwut emphasized, “It is entirely possible that both companies violated the law on several counts.”
Key Points at a Glance
| Issue | Details | Legal Violation |
|——————————-|—————————————————————————–|————————————————————————————|
| Excessive interest Rates | Rates as high as 2,600% per year | Act Prohibiting the Charging of Interest in Excess of the 2017 Rate |
| Aggressive Debt Collection | Contacting friends and family, causing embarrassment | Debt Collection act 2015 |
| Unauthorized Data Access | Access to camera, photos, contact lists, and location data | Personal data Protection Act 2019 (PDPA) |
What’s Next?
The Consumer Council’s decision to pursue a class action lawsuit marks a significant step in holding OPPO Thailand accountable. As the case unfolds, consumers are encouraged to report any similar experiences to the Consumer Council or relevant authorities.
for more information on consumer rights and protections, visit the bank of Thailand and Personal Data Protection Board websites.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the tech industry. As consumers, staying informed and vigilant is our best defense against predatory practices.
What are your thoughts on this issue? share your opinions in the comments below.OPPO and Realme Under Fire for Data Privacy Breach: A Deep Dive into the Scandal
The tech world is reeling as OPPO and Realme face severe backlash over a data privacy breach linked to pre-installed apps on their devices. The controversy has sparked outrage among consumers and regulatory bodies, raising questions about the ethical practices of these smartphone giants.
The Core of the Issue
the scandal revolves around an app that comes pre-installed on OPPO mobile phones and cannot be uninstalled. This app, which has been described as a “gross violation of user privacy,” collects data without user consent, leading to widespread concerns about consumer rights. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has intervened, ordering the suspension of phone sales with the app pre-installed [[2]].
Consumer Rights Violated
the installation of this app is a “serious violation of the basic rights of consumers,” particularly the right to choose products or services freely and the right to fair contracting. Users purchasing a 64 GB device,for instance,may find less than 60 GB of usable space due to the app’s storage consumption. Additionally, the app runs in the background, possibly using the user’s internet and incurring additional data fees without their knowledge.
Regulatory Response
The NBTC and the Office of the Personal Data Protection committee (PDPC) have taken decisive action, ordering the suspension of OPPO and Realme sales until the issue is resolved. Both companies have until January 16 to explain their actions, failing which they face fines of up to 3 million baht [[3]].
OPPO’s Delayed Response
Critics have slammed OPPO for its sluggish response to the crisis. Despite the Consumer Council issuing a warning on january 10, the company took over seven days to issue an official statement on January 17, promising to update the app by January 27. This delay has been deemed “highly unreasonable” for a global tech giant, raising doubts about the company’s commitment to resolving the issue.
The Broader Implications
This scandal is not an isolated incident. The Consumer Council has identified connections between the problematic app and several other money-lending apps,suggesting a broader network of illegal activities. The council has called for stricter regulations to prevent similar violations by other mobile phone brands.
Call to Action
The Consumer Council is urging affected individuals to report their grievances on January 21,2025,at the Central Investigation Police Headquarters. This move aims to push for legal action and ensure accountability.
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Issue | Pre-installed app violating user privacy |
| Regulatory Action | NBTC suspends sales of OPPO and Realme phones |
| consumer Impact | Reduced storage, unauthorized data usage, and additional fees |
| OPPO’s Response | Delayed official statement and app update by January 27 |
| broader Implications | Links to other illegal money-lending apps |
| Call to Action | Report grievances on January 21, 2025, at Central Investigation police HQ |
This scandal serves as a stark reminder of the importance of data privacy and the need for stricter oversight in the tech industry. As consumers demand transparency, companies like OPPO and Realme must prioritize ethical practices to regain trust.
Here’s a concise breakdown of the key allegations and issues raised against OPPO and Realme, as well as the broader implications for consumer rights and data privacy:
Key Allegations and Issues
1. Exorbitant Interest Rates
- Details: Consumers have reported being charged interest rates as high as 2,600% per year,far exceeding Thailand’s legal limit of 36% per year set by the Bank of Thailand (BoT). Some victims were charged interest before even receiving their first loan installment.
- Legal Violation: This violates thailand’s Act Prohibiting the Charging of Interest in Excess of the 2017 Rate, which carries penalties of up to two years of imprisonment or a fine of 200,000 baht.
2.Aggressive Debt Collection Practices
- Details: Debt collectors have been accused of harassing borrowers’ friends and family, causing significant emotional distress and embarrassment. Such as,one victim stated,“They called my mother demanding repayment even when I had already paid.”
- Legal Violation: These practices breach the Debt Collection Act 2015, which prohibits actions that harm an individual’s reputation.
- Details: Pre-installed apps on OPPO and Realme devices reportedly collect excessive personal data, including access to cameras, photos, contact lists, and location data, even without explicit user consent.
- Legal Violation: This violates Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act 2019 (PDPA). The Office of the personal Data Protection Board (PDC) and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) have been urged to take immediate action.
Consumer Rights Violations
- The pre-installed apps are a gross violation of consumer rights,including the right to choose products freely and the right to fair contracting. Users purchasing 64 GB devices may find less then 60 GB of usable storage due to the app’s space consumption.
- the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has intervened, ordering the suspension of phone sales with the app pre-installed.
Call for Accountability
- The Consumer Council is pursuing a class-action lawsuit against OPPO Thailand and Realme, urging the BoT, police, and other agencies to expedite legal proceedings.
- Mr. Pornwut, a spokesperson, emphasized, “It is entirely possible that both companies violated the law on several counts.”
Key Points at a Glance
| Issue | Details | Legal Violation |
|———————————-|—————————————————————————–|————————————————————————————-|
| Excessive Interest Rates | Rates as high as 2,600% per year | Act Prohibiting the Charging of Interest in Excess of the 2017 Rate |
| Aggressive Debt Collection | Contacting friends and family, causing harassment | debt Collection Act 2015 |
| Unauthorized Data Access | Access to camera, photos, contact lists, and location data | Personal Data Protection Act 2019 (PDPA) |
What’s Next?
- The Consumer Council is urging affected consumers to report similar experiences to relevant authorities, such as the BoT or the Personal Data protection Board.
- This case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the tech industry, serving as a reminder for consumers to stay informed and vigilant.
consumer action
Consumers are encouraged to:
- Report Issues: Contact the Consumer Council,BoT,or PDC.
- Stay Informed: Visit the Bank of Thailand and Personal Data Protection Board websites for updates and resources.
- Share Experiences: Raise awareness by sharing their stories and opinions.
This scandal underscores the need for stricter regulations and ethical practices in the tech industry. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share your opinions below.
