Platforms should not misuse personal info

A reporter with Thepaper.cn conducted a sting operation on jiayuan.com, a dating-cum-matchmaking website, and found that the privacy of those using the platform is seriously compromised.

The reporter applied for a job at jiayuan.com and on being hired realized he could access personal chats of those registered with the platform, including the profiles and photos of the other platform members the users had "checked out".

After this transgression was reported on Tuesday, jiayuan.com issued an apology on its official micro blog, saying they had removed the "provision" from their system.

According to the Law on Personal Information Protection, internet platforms are obliged to protect users' personal information. Jiayuan.com has failed on that front. Instead of only apologizing, it might have to compensate the consumers if they sue the company.

Consumers share their personal information with platforms because they want some specific services. They certainly don't want anyone to access their personal information, or for the platform to use that information to make more money.

It is shocking to know that jiayuan.com has a system where its staff can access users' personal information.

In November 2020, jiayuan.com inked a deal with 12 companies to strengthen consumers' privacy protection. On Nov 2, the day after the Law on Personal Information Protection came into force, it announced its privacy protection policy on its official website. But its actions don't match its words.

Over the years, there have been frequent leaks of personal information from dating and express delivery apps. In some cases the companies that have access to people's personal information have sold them to other platforms for profit. The entire internet platform sector should be regulated to curb such activities.