[Economic Observation] How many "voyeurs" we don't know?
Our reporter Du Xin
According to media reports, some mobile apps "spy" on users' mobile photo albums.
On October 8, a user posted a screenshot on the Internet saying "WeChat for iOS repeatedly reads the user's album in the background".
That night, WeChat responded that: Under the premise that the user authorizes WeChat to read the "system album permissions", in order to facilitate users to quickly post pictures when they press "+" in WeChat chat, WeChat uses the standard ability of album update notification provided by the iOS system. , So that users can send pictures more quickly and smoothly.
WeChat also stated that this behavior is only done locally on the mobile phone, and the latest version will cancel the use of the system's capabilities and optimize the function of quick image posting.
Although WeChat responds quickly, and you can correct your mistakes.
But people still cannot help asking: Can you read user albums in the name of "convenience to users"?
If it is not found, will WeChat actively stop the reading behavior?
"WeChat repeatedly reads user's photo albums". The total amount of reading on the Internet has exceeded 300 million, and netizens are constantly questioning.
The reason why this incident aroused the sensitive nerves of netizens concerned about the leakage of personal information is that in recent years, APP's illegal collection of personal information, excessive claims for rights, frequent harassment, and infringement of user rights and interests have become prominent.
At the same time, if this matter were not reported by users, most users would not be aware of it.
In fact, the scope of personal information collected by various common apps is clearly defined in the "Regulations on the Scope of Necessary Personal Information for Common Types of Mobile Internet Applications" that came into effect on May 1 this year.
For example, for instant messaging apps, the only necessary personal information that can be collected includes the registered user's mobile phone number and account number, and the list of instant messaging contact accounts, but the user's photo album is not among them.
Regulatory crackdowns are also escalating.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has carried out a special rectification work for APP infringing user rights and interests on the basis of the previous four ministries and commissions to carry out special actions for the illegal collection and use of personal information by APP Check and standardize rectification.
For the problematic APP, specific measures include ordering rectification, making public announcements, organizing APP removal, stopping APP access services, and including the subject of administrative penalties in violation of the telecommunication business list or untrustworthy list, etc.
However, under strict rules and heavy punches, there are still dangers and sideballs.
In the final analysis, this is because in the era of digital economy, user data is becoming more and more valuable and profit dictates.
The user is in the light, and the "voyeur" is in the dark.
How many "voyeurs" we don't know is unknown.
The technology is updated too fast, and you can't wait for a new problem to be discovered before calling a stop.
Only by improving laws and regulations and strengthening supervision, it is difficult to stop APP's illegal activities in a timely and effective manner.
To untie the bell, you must tie the bell, and technical problems must be solved by technology.
This time the user can find that WeChat repeatedly reads the user's photo album because the new version of iOS 15's "privacy" function has "record APP activity", which can store data such as APP access location or microphone within 7 days.
This provides a new way to solve the problem: encourage third-party testing agencies to develop functions to monitor APP violations.
At present, some mobile phone systems in China already have privacy protection measures, which can detect all software's access to permissions and generate privacy inspection reports.
Of course, to prevent a new round of "voyeurism", supervision and technology must be combined.
On the one hand, it is necessary to encourage APP service providers and mobile phone system developers to strengthen self-discipline and conduct regular self-examination and self-correction.
On the other hand, build a comprehensive supervision system of government management, social collaboration, public participation, media supervision, and scientific and technological support.
At present, the contradiction between data value and data security is intensifying.
It is foreseeable that with the improvement of relevant laws and regulations, the space for "voyeurs" will become smaller and smaller.