WeChat blocks deepfake app Zao amid data collection concerns · TechNode

WeChat opted on Monday to block content shared from Zao, the new deepfake app that lets users swap their faces with celebrities in movie and TV clips, amid an online backlash over possible excessive data collection. Why it matters: As data breaches become more prevalent in China, mobile internet users are becoming increasingly wary of possible privacy protection issues when using apps. Details: Zao, developed by a majority-owned unit of dating platform Momo, stormed to the top of free mobile app rankings after its August 31 release. On Monday, Tencent's WeChat blocked links shared from Zao citing security risks after many users reported the app. Context: Momo's lax protection of user privacy came under fire last December when a Weibo user spotted a package for sale on the dark web containing the phone numbers and account passwords of 30 million Momo users.