The smartphone and mobile Internet markets have grown rapidly in China, and many mobile application developers are collecting a wide range of user information, some of which goes beyond what they need to market their products.

For instance, when users install or update smartphone apps, they are asked to allow the apps to read their phonebooks and text messages. Some software developers even ask users to allow a voice recorder to run in the background. Without proper management, data collected from users run the risk of being hacked.

The safety of personal information has raised concerns in the executive offices of many IT firms.