AsianFin -- Chinese search giant Baidu has refuted claims of an internal data breach following a controversy involving the teenage daughter of one of its top executives, who allegedly leaked personal details of internet users online.
The incident came to light last week when online users accused the daughter of Baidu Vice President Xie Guangjun of posting private information, including phone numbers, during an online dispute. The allegations quickly sparked widespread attention, putting Baidu, one of China’s largest cloud service providers, under scrutiny.
In a statement on Wednesday, Baidu firmly denied any internal data breach, emphasizing that all employees and executives, regardless of rank, are strictly prohibited from accessing user data. The company clarified that the information shared by the teenager was sourced from illegally obtained "doxing databases" on foreign platforms, which compile stolen private data.
Baidu also revealed that it had filed a police report regarding the spread of false information online, including claims that the teenager had admitted her father provided her with access to Baidu’s databases. The company stressed that such allegations are baseless and part of a broader misinformation campaign.
Despite Baidu’s denials, the controversy continues to grow, raising questions about data security and the responsibilities of tech companies in safeguarding user information. The incident highlights the challenges faced by major tech firms in maintaining public trust amid increasing scrutiny over data privacy practices.
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