The vice president of Baidu, China’s largest search engine company, Xie Guangjun has officially apologized after his 13-year-old daughter was found to have leaked the personal information of internet users who criticized Jang Wonyoung, a member of the K-pop group IVE.
The Controversial Incident
According to Chinese media reports, an internet user publicly shared the personal information of around 100 netizens, including a pregnant woman, after they posted negative comments about Jang Wonyoung on Weibo. This individual also claimed to be in Canada, stating that she was not afraid of legal repercussions, and revealed that her father was a high-ranking executive at Baidu.
Internet users later conducted their own investigations and discovered various documents, including online purchase receipts, an employment verification certificate, and a pay stub detailing an annual salary of 220,000 yuan (approximately 45 million KRW or 31,000 USD) under the name “Xie Guangjun.” Xie Guangjun joined Baidu in 2010 and was promoted to vice president in the spring of 2021.
These findings quickly spread across social media, leading to widespread speculation and ultimately confirming that the individual responsible for the personal information leaks was indeed his daughter.
Response from Baidu and Xie Guangjun
Under mounting public pressure, on March 17, Xie Guangjun issued a statement on Weibo, acknowledging his daughter’s wrongdoing and explained that she had been unable to control her emotions after an online dispute and had inadvertently posted other people’s personal information on a foreign social media platform. “My 13-year-old daughter got into an argument online and, unable to control her emotions, leaked another person’s personal information on her overseas social media account.”
“As a father, I failed to properly teach my child to respect others’ privacy. I feel deep guilt and sincerely apologize to those affected.” he stated. Xie also stated that after having a serious conversation with his daughter about the incident, emphasizing that she is still a minor.
He firmly reprimanded her for her actions and emphasized the importance of respecting others’ privacy. He further urged internet users to refrain from sharing or spreading any personal information, stressing the potential harm such actions could cause.
Conclusion
This incident has drawn significant attention, not only due to the involvement of a high-profile executive but also because of the broader implications surrounding online privacy and digital responsibility. While Xie Guangjun has publicly apologized and taken responsibility for his daughter’s actions, the case highlights the importance of educating younger internet users about the ethical and legal consequences of sharing personal information online.
It remains unclear whether Baidu will take any internal action regarding this incident. However, this case has once again raised concerns about online privacy and digital ethics in the modern age.
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