Consumer rights group withdraws complaint against Baidu

NANJING - A consumer rights group has withdrawn a public interest suit against Chinese tech firm Baidu, after the company removed its apps' "snooping" functions.

Nanjing Intermediate People's Court in East China's Jiangsu province accepted a lawsuit filed by Jiangsu provincial consumer rights protection committee against Baidu in January.

The committee accused Beijing Baidu Netcom Science and Technology Co Ltd of ignoring an instruction to remove some functionality from Baidu Mobile and Baidu Browser apps which monitor users' contacts and activity.

The committee began an investigation in July last year into "snooping" by 27 app developers. Except for Baidu, the other 26 firms all took measures to remove or optimize functions to adhere to the committee's instructions.

The apps violate consumers' rights by passing on their personal information, often directly resulting in telemarketing calls and telecom fraud, the committee said.

The committee said on Thursday that Baidu's modified apps went online in February. The committee withdrew its suit as Baidu had removed improper functions.

Thursday is World Consumer Rights Day, also known as "3.15" in China. Chinese consumer right groups launch their annual campaigns on this day to raise attention of consumers rights.