Authorities in China have arrested thirty suspects for illegally trading 600 million personal information using Telegram and virtual currency.
According to the public security authorities, they discovered a criminal organization that uses this method during an Internet patrol in May last year.
The personal information they sold included names, identification numbers, contacts, home addresses, and bank transactions. And the targets of the damage were extensive.
The authorities set up a task force and arrested 30 suspects. Including personal information collectors, dealers, buyers and fraudsters, in 18 provinces and cities across China until November last year.
They earned more than 8 million yuan (about 1.2 million USD) in illegal profits from personal information transactions. And some created fake Internet loan sites and swindled more than 200,000 yuan from more than 200 people.
The authorities said, “The suspects used overseas messenger programs and blockchain virtual currency instead of traditional Internet communication methods and transfer methods through bank cards,” adding, “The criminal means are new and social damage is serious.
China caught illegal traders, while India permanently removes Chinese apps
Meanwhile, India has decided to permanently remove 59 Chinese smartphone applications, including TikTok and WeChat.
On the other hand, the Japanese government has imposed a provisional ban on 267 Chinese apps since June. The government explains that they made the decision due to safety and security issues. The 59 apps that were permanently banned this time included TikTok and WeChat, and UC Browser of Alibaba Group.
Despite the Indian government’s explanation of security issues, the prevailing observation is that such an app ban is a retaliatory measure against a series of border disputes between China and India, which have been going on since last year.
As conflicts between the two countries continue, anti-China protests and boycotts of Chinese products continue in India. And the Indian government is also strengthening trade barriers related to Chinese imports.
