Suddenly! Three major input methods were removed from the shelves.

Whether it’s a computer or a mobile phone.

We basically type a lot of words every day.

Therefore, various input methods are also varied.

But just recently,

The three major input methods were suddenly removed from the shelves.

On June 11th, iFLYTEK input method, sogou input method, QQ input method, etc. were removed from the shelves of several application stores because they did not fully meet the rectification requirements of the National Network Information Office on May 1st regarding the violation of personal information collection.

The reporter’s search found that these applications could not be found in the Apple App Store. The Huawei App Store showed that "according to relevant policies, this application download is not provided for the time being." According to the report of the Internet Information Office, the reasons for the removal of the above three input methods are related to the unfinished rectification of the problem of "collecting personal information unrelated to the services provided by them".

Apple Store could not retrieve sogou and iFLYTEK input methods.

Huawei App Store shows that sogou input method and Xunfei input method are temporarily unavailable for download.

On the same day, the reporter downloaded the above three input methods through the browser and found that:

QQ input method prompts users to choose "complete experience mode" and "basic typing mode" without collecting any information, but the latter can’t use expressions and other functions.

IFLYTEK input method means "we can use our basic business functions without providing personal information", but "some functions other than basic business functions need to provide personal information".

In contrast, sogou Input Method lists the information that may be collected in the privacy policy, indicating that "if you refuse to provide it, you will not be able to enjoy the corresponding extended business functions and services."

As of press release on June 13th, three input methods have not been put back on the shelves.

Incomplete rectification

Three input methods were removed from the shelves.

It is understood that three input methods, namely, sogou input method, iFLYTEK input method and QQ input method, have been removed from the shelves, which is related to the "Notice on the Illegal Collection and Use of Personal Information by 33 Apps" issued by the National Network Information Office on May 1, which is the first time that the National Network Information Office has issued such a notice from the ministerial level. According to the notification requirements, 33 App-related operators, including the above three input methods, should complete the rectification within 10 working days from May 1, and report the rectification to the Network Data Administration of the National Network Information Office. If the rectification is not completed within the time limit, the National Network Information Office will dispose of it according to law.

The reporter noted that this bulletin involved 15 input methods, and the problems in 13 of them were "violating the necessary principles and collecting personal information unrelated to the services they provided."

For the specific reasons for the violation

Iflytek said that there are two main ones.

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1. After the old version of iFLYTEK input method is upgraded to the latest version of 10.0.20, the input setting options of the old version of Pinyin Cloud will be used, and no pop-up window will prompt the user to choose whether to open it;

2. After the user selects the close function in the prompt of Pinyin Cloud Input Pop-up Window in iFLYTEK Input Method Version 10.0.20, a second pop-up window appears asking the user to confirm.

According to iFLYTEK Input Method, as of June 11th, iFLYTEK Input Method App has been rectified, and it is being tested by relevant departments to ensure compliance before being put back on the shelves. However, sogou input method and QQ input method have not yet responded.

Privacy and convenience disputes:

Helpless choice in free mode?

The reporter found that the topic of whether the input method will steal privacy has attracted the attention of many netizens. Previously, Shell Finance collected topics related to privacy protection in Zhihu. Some netizens said, "When talking to friends about microwave ovens, diapers, facial cleanser and other things, I found that there was an input method that automatically pushed advertisements." The screenshot provided by the netizen shows that when chatting with friends on WeChat about the content of "most afraid of changing diapers", the input interface of sogou input method pops up "Children are prone to diaper rash to see the countermeasures!" Advertising pop-up window.

In this regard, some professionals said that although the basic function of the input method is typing, at present, if there are no additional functions such as emoticons and semantic associations that make users feel more "convenient", the input method will not be competitive, which is the contradiction between privacy and convenience.

The reporter found that in addition to pop-up advertisements on the input interface of input method, more people complained about the existence of pop-up advertisements on the PC side of sogou input method, seeking a solution to close the pop-up advertisements in sogou. In addition, the reporter found in January this year that when using sogou input method to search keywords in search engines, sogou input method will automatically jump to sogou search.

In this regard, the industry told Shell Finance reporter that the input method advertisement, like other free App advertisements, is a helpless choice under the current free mode. "Microsoft Smart ABC has no advertisements, but who do you think uses it? If you need convenient functions and emoticons that Lenovo can pop up, you need some expenses. At this time, you can only make the input method profitable through advertising and other means. On the other hand, free is the most expensive. "

33 apps

Illegal collection of personal information was notified.

A variety of input methods are listed.

On May 1st, official website, the National Network Information Office, issued a circular on the illegal collection and use of personal information by 33 apps such as Input Method. The notified apps mainly involve input methods, map navigation and instant messaging, among which sogou, iFLYTEK and Baidu input methods are all on the list.

The National Network Information Office stated in the circular that "in view of the problems found in the test, the relevant App operators should complete the rectification within 10 working days from the date of publication of this circular, and report the rectification to the Network Data Administration of our office. Those who fail to complete the rectification within the time limit will be disposed of according to law."

The illegal collection and use of personal information by the input method App announced by the National Network Information Office on May 1.

Source: Net Letter Jiangmen Comprehensive Arrangement

Original title: "Suddenly! The three major input methods were removed from the shelf.