Several major internet companies, including Tencent, Baidu and Jinri Toutiao, a Beijing-based news and information platform powered by artificial intelligence, have all been the target of complaints alleging violations of privacy, Time Weekly reported.
Li Shufu, the chairman of Geely, a Chinese multinational automotive manufacturer, openly expressed his concern about the leaking of business secrets on the messaging app WeChat, which is owned by Tencent.
Baidu is apparently also involved in the storm — the Jiangsu Provincial Consumer Protection Committee has filed civil consumer litigation over Baidu’s illegal acquisition of personal consumer information.
However, the companies have generally responded that they don’t have the related technology to collect private users’ information via the daily use of their products.