A sizable portion of mobile device repairs happens annually in Russia, with estimates suggesting about 4.7 million repairs each year. When customers reach service centers, data security concerns are real, as a notable share report personal data exposure. A study conducted by Artezio, a member of the LANIT family of companies, and detailed on socialbites.ca, highlights this risk and aims to quantify where it tends to occur.
According to the findings from Artezio’s mobile app development team, among the 4.7 million Russians who contacted service centers, roughly 7.3% experienced leakage of personal photos and videos. In about 3.5% of cases, login credentials for accounts and cloud storage were compromised. Additionally, in 4.8% of repairs, technicians gained unauthorized access to apps installed on the device.
Analysts aggregating these results estimate that around 2.4% of all leaks translate into reputational and financial consequences for the victims. The study underscores that the breach of trust is a common outcome when data security practices are not strictly followed during the repair process.
The report also reveals behavioral shifts among affected users. A majority, about 58%, stated that they would not trust their devices in the same way again after dealing with unscrupulous technicians. A quarter of those impacted began using two-factor authentication more consistently after the incident. Meanwhile, approximately 13% did not take any corrective action following the breach.
Beyond direct leaks, the study notes a broader risk perception among the public. Even for 70% of Russians, including individuals who have not sent their devices for repair, the threat of data loss does not seem to motivate preventive steps. More than 80% of users are not storing sensitive information on their devices, and many do not perceive the risk as immediate. Still, people often overlook banking apps and authentication messages that could be exploited, while some owners discover forgotten passport photos and personal documents in galleries or notes on their devices.
The researchers emphasize that the reported figures are estimates. The true scope of data breach incidents could be larger than recorded due to gaps in reporting, regulatory oversight, and user reluctance to disclose problems. A combination of lax enforcement and inconsistent reporting complicates a precise accounting of every incident.
Issues of consumer protection and device security are attracting attention as people grow increasingly reliant on smartphones for everyday tasks. In this context, the findings serve as a reminder that data hygiene matters at every step—from initial handling of a device at service centers to the way applications and personal content are managed on the device itself.
The topic has also drawn attention to how scammers target iPhone buyers and other mobile users, underscoring the need for vigilance in a landscape where fraud tactics evolve rapidly and buyers seek trustworthy services during a period of high demand and device turnover.