The article discusses the case of Pinduoduo, a Chinese e-commerce company, and its alleged malware. The malware was discovered by researchers in late February, and it allowed the app to access users' sensitive information without their consent.
Here are some key points from the article:
1. **Pinduoduo's alleged malware**: Researchers found that Pinduoduo's app had a set of malicious code that allowed it to access users' locations, contacts, calendars, notifications, and photo albums.
2. **Exploits**: The malware exploits were able to change system settings and access users' social network accounts and chats.
3. **Regulatory failure**: The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, which is responsible for regulating apps in China, did not detect the malware. This has been seen as an oversight by tech policy experts.
4. **Disbanding of team**: After the discovery, Pinduoduo disbanded a team of engineers and product managers who had developed the exploits.
5. **Removal of exploits**: The company released an update that removed the malicious code from its app.
6. **Oversight failure**: Kendra Schaefer, a tech policy expert, said that the fact that regulators did not detect the malware is embarrassing for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
7. **Social media response**: Some cybersecurity experts have questioned why regulators have not taken action against Pinduoduo.
The article raises concerns about the lack of oversight by regulators in China's tech industry and the potential risks to users' personal data.
Here are some key points from the article:
1. **Pinduoduo's alleged malware**: Researchers found that Pinduoduo's app had a set of malicious code that allowed it to access users' locations, contacts, calendars, notifications, and photo albums.
2. **Exploits**: The malware exploits were able to change system settings and access users' social network accounts and chats.
3. **Regulatory failure**: The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, which is responsible for regulating apps in China, did not detect the malware. This has been seen as an oversight by tech policy experts.
4. **Disbanding of team**: After the discovery, Pinduoduo disbanded a team of engineers and product managers who had developed the exploits.
5. **Removal of exploits**: The company released an update that removed the malicious code from its app.
6. **Oversight failure**: Kendra Schaefer, a tech policy expert, said that the fact that regulators did not detect the malware is embarrassing for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
7. **Social media response**: Some cybersecurity experts have questioned why regulators have not taken action against Pinduoduo.
The article raises concerns about the lack of oversight by regulators in China's tech industry and the potential risks to users' personal data.