Tencent programmer detained in China accused of stealing university student data for site ranking physical attractiveness
- Website scored female and male students using stolen photo IDs and published their names and enrollment numbers
- A university staff member says the data of students enrolled between 2014 and 2020 was involved, institution plans legal action
A Tencent computer engineer has been detained in China for allegedly stealing the personal data of university students – including their ID photos – for a website ranking people on their physical attractiveness.
Beijing police said on July 3 that a 25-year-old graduate of the Renmin University of China, surnamed Ma, was being held in criminal detention after being accused of illegally obtaining student data from the university.
Social media posts linked to Ma suggested the attractiveness website had been active for at least three years.
A university staff member told China Newsweek that the data of students enrolled between 2014 and 2020 had been affected and said the institution planned to sue over the theft.
A current Tencent employee, who did not wish to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media, confirmed to the Post that Ma is still listed as an employee.
According to Tianmu News, Ma was working as an algorithm engineer at Tencent’s WeChat department when he was detained.