China Mobile probes free WiFi app for mobiles
By Xu Chi |
May 5, 2012, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA Mobile said yesterday that it is investigating a popular free mobile phone application that allows users to access the company's paid WiFi at public venues for free.
The app, developed by a Shanghai-based computer firm, boasts on its official website that users can utilize the free software on their cell phone with the Android system to search for nearby public WiFi hotspots provided by China Mobile.
With a simple click, users can gain access to the company's paid WiFi at any public venue across the country where Internet service is available, the website said. The software allows users to skip the process where one has to purchase WiFi service cards, type in the username and password before activating the service.
A Shanghai Daily reporter tested the app on an Android phone, and it spotted several public WiFi hotspots, including one by China Mobile. A "simple" click on the hotspot was followed by advertisements popping up and a long wait. About 10 minutes, later the app said it has successfully connected with the Internet but with a very weak signal and slow surfing speed.
On the popular microblogging site Weibo.com, the application has attracted 2,700 fans since the latest version was uploaded last Saturday.
In response, an official surnamed Zhou with China Mobile Shanghai Co told Shanghai Daily the company is investigating the application, but refused further comments.
The app's developer, Shanghai United-Cloud Computer Systems Co, issued a letter to media stating that "the software is legal and doesn't hack into any system or offend any mobile phone operator."
IT experts warn such free software can swamp users with huge number of advertisements, steal their private data and even secretly charge services fees like a virus.
The app, developed by a Shanghai-based computer firm, boasts on its official website that users can utilize the free software on their cell phone with the Android system to search for nearby public WiFi hotspots provided by China Mobile.
With a simple click, users can gain access to the company's paid WiFi at any public venue across the country where Internet service is available, the website said. The software allows users to skip the process where one has to purchase WiFi service cards, type in the username and password before activating the service.
A Shanghai Daily reporter tested the app on an Android phone, and it spotted several public WiFi hotspots, including one by China Mobile. A "simple" click on the hotspot was followed by advertisements popping up and a long wait. About 10 minutes, later the app said it has successfully connected with the Internet but with a very weak signal and slow surfing speed.
On the popular microblogging site Weibo.com, the application has attracted 2,700 fans since the latest version was uploaded last Saturday.
In response, an official surnamed Zhou with China Mobile Shanghai Co told Shanghai Daily the company is investigating the application, but refused further comments.
The app's developer, Shanghai United-Cloud Computer Systems Co, issued a letter to media stating that "the software is legal and doesn't hack into any system or offend any mobile phone operator."
IT experts warn such free software can swamp users with huge number of advertisements, steal their private data and even secretly charge services fees like a virus.
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