TENCENT QQ, the most popular instant messenger in China, has been accused of spying on its users.
The accusation was made by Qihoo 360, which makes the popular free anti-virus software 360 Safeguard.
According to a Shenzhen Economic Daily report, after netizens used Qihoo 360 s privacy protector to scan Tencent QQ, it was found that QQ had viewed their private documents, including online banking files.
Online banking files are private. How can QQ scan these files without a user s authorization? Why does it scan private information and does it start scanning files as soon as someone logs on? one netizen named Xue told the paper.
But Tencent said on its Web site that its QQ software had not been used to spy on users and that Qihoo 360 was trying to damage QQ s reputation.
The case has sparked controversy among QQ users, whose number is in excess of 100 million.
A number of netizens said they could not live without QQ, either in daily life or at work. But some said they might uninstall QQ and use the safer MSN instead.
Many businesses rely on QQ for orders and for sending and receiving confidential information, the newspaper said.
However, a number of netizens expressed doubts about Qihoo 360 s claims, and questioned the company s agenda.
Several online companies have opened special Web sites for netizens to express their opinions on the matter. Chen Tianqiao, CEO of Shanda Interactive Entertainment, and Zhang Chaoyang, CEO of Sohu, said they supported Qihoo 360.
But all agreed that neither of the companies should initiate a business war at the expense of their customers, and that both should do their utmost to protect customer privacy. (Jane Lai)
Privacy lawsuit involves Web site
A SHENZHEN resident has filed a lawsuit at Shenzhen Intermediate People s Court against a housing Web site after it released his personal information without his authorization.
The resident, identified as Xu, said his name, mobile phone number and false property information were released on Soufun.com, one of the country s most popular housing Web sites. The leak had resulted in him receiving more than 30 unsolicited phone calls a day, he said.
Xu is demanding 1,500 yuan (US$225) in compensation.
Xu s compensation claim was not supported by a Futian court in the first court session.
The intermediate court is yet to hand down its verdict.
(Jane Lai)
