WeChat responds to the central media’s comments on reading users’ photo albums: How much more “peeking” is going on that we don’t know about?

Recently, Tencent WeChat was exposed for repeatedly reading users' photo albums in the background. Afterwards, WeChat explained the reason for this operation, denied stealing user privacy, and promised not to use this function in the future.

Regarding the issue of these apps arbitrarily using user privacy, the Workers' Daily published a commentary today titled "How many more 'peeks' are there that we don't know about?", pointing out that the "Regulations on the Scope of Necessary Personal Information for Common Types of Mobile Internet Applications" which came into effect on May 1 this year have clear definitions.

For example, the necessary personal information that instant messaging apps can collect only includes the registered user’s mobile phone number and account, and the list of instant messaging contact accounts, but the user’s photo album is not included.

However, despite the strict rules and heavy blows, there are still people who take risks and skirt the rules. This is because in the digital economy era, user data is becoming more and more valuable, and it is for their own benefit.

The users are in the open, while the "peeps" are in the dark. How many more "peeps" are there that we don't know about? We don't know. Technology updates too fast, and we can't wait until new problems are discovered before calling for a halt. It is difficult to stop APP illegal and irregular behaviors in a timely and effective manner by simply improving laws and regulations and strengthening supervision.

The Workers' Daily stated that to prevent a new round of "voyeurism", supervision and technology must be combined.

On the one hand, we should encourage APP service providers and mobile phone system developers to strengthen self-discipline and conduct regular self-inspections and self-corrections. On the other hand, we should build a comprehensive regulatory system with government management, social coordination, public participation, media supervision, and technological support.

At present, the contradiction between data value and data security is becoming more and more serious. It is foreseeable that with the improvement of relevant laws and regulations, the space for "peekers" to exploit will become smaller and smaller.

[[427989]]