Joe Maring / Android Authority
TL; Dr
- A brand new “Display Recording” setting has appeared within the T-Cell T-Life app, first for iPhone 16 customers and now slowly rolling out to some Android gadgets.
- Whereas the characteristic could also be meant for app utilization evaluation or troubleshooting, its silent and default rollout has raised privateness considerations in the neighborhood.
- T-Cell has not but supplied an official clarification, so customers are suggested to disable the setting till extra data is obtainable.
Late final week, some iPhone 16 customers started noticing a brand new Display Recording setting throughout the T-Cell T-Life app, as first reported by Ok_Theory5606 on Reddit. I initially missed this information over the lengthy Memorial Day weekend, however whereas catching up on Reddit at the moment, I noticed that this characteristic has since began showing on a handful of different gadgets (as famous on this thread), together with a number of Android fashions just like the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S23 Extremely.
So, what precisely is that this Display Recording characteristic? It could be straightforward to leap to sensational conclusions and declare that T-Cell is outright watching you, but it surely’s extra seemingly that the characteristic is designed to trace your primary actions all through the app to raised perceive utilization patterns. It’s impossible that it is ready to watch your entire display screen, as that may require much more permissions than the app makes use of.
As a substitute, this sort of information can seemingly be used to assist troubleshoot points, enhance app format, and refine the offers and presents proven to customers. After all, there’s additionally the chance it might open the door to much less savory actions, resembling promoting consumer information to 3rd events or unintentionally making it simpler for hackers to study extra about T-Cell clients.
I made a decision to contact T-Cell for extra particulars on this new change. Whereas I haven’t heard again but, I’ll replace this text with any official assertion if and after I obtain one. Primarily based on what we do know, some customers may assume this new Display Recording operate might allow staff to entry your telephone throughout a customer support session to assist troubleshoot a problem. That mentioned, there was already a Display Share choice within the outdated T-Life app, and that setting stays current right here as nicely.
For now, all we will do is speculate in regards to the characteristic’s actual goal. Primarily based on feedback from varied Redditors, right here’s what we all know thus far:
- iPhone 16 customers have been the primary to see this variation, and it nonetheless seems to be probably the most broadly affected group.
- There have been alleged experiences of the characteristic reaching choose Android customers on gadgets just like the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S23 sequence over the previous 24 hours or so.
- The replace seems to be rolling out incrementally, but it surely’s unclear whether or not it would ultimately be launched to all Android and iPhone gadgets, or if it solely impacts sure fashions.
Hopefully, T-Cell will present its customers with extra details about this variation within the coming days. No matter how T-Cell intends to make use of the collected information, my greatest concern is that this setting is being rolled out so quietly — and with it enabled by default. For iPhone customers with the modified app, you’ll discover the setting beneath Handle > Settings Gear > Display Recording Device. For Android customers, the precise location might differ barely.
If that is merely an inside operate being examined, why make it enabled by default? Till we get extra readability, I’d advocate disabling this setting for those who occur to have it. I’ll say these sorts of video games are why I proceed to advocate pay as you go over postpaid for many customers.
