Tech regulator calls out Baidu, 360, Sina for apps' privacy violations

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has castigated 21 Chinese technology companies including Baidu, 360, Huawei, Netease and Sina for producing applications found to forcefully promote undesired products, contain security flaws or violate user privacy buy collecting personal information without consent, AllChinaTech reported, citing a widely circulated denouncement from the ministry. Many of China’s consumer-facing tech firms are vying to capture greater user share from their rivals, often forcing users of one app to use another in hopes of generating retention. Major applications called out for violations by the ministry include Baidu’s mobile assistant and search apps, the app markets of Suning, Huawei, Netease, Sina and Meizu, and 360’s personal assistant app.