iFlytek/Sogou/QQ input methods removed from shelves, possibly due to user information security issues

On June 11, iFLYTEK's stock price suddenly collapsed during trading, falling by more than 9% at one point, approaching the limit. As of press time, the stock price was quoted at 58 yuan per share, a drop of 5.52%. In response, its secretary to the board of directors said: "The company's operations are normal."

According to the news, the stock price drop is related to the illegal collection of non-business-related user information by iFlytek Input Method, which was removed from major App stores. The "Notice on the Punishment of iFlytek Input Method APP Removed from Major App Stores" circulated online shows that after investigation, iFlytek Input Method APP has "violated the principle of necessity, collected personal information irrelevant to the services it provides, etc.", and has not been thoroughly rectified in accordance with regulatory requirements. This incident has had a significant impact on iFlytek Input Method's business and the company's reputation.

At present, iFLYTEK input method cannot be downloaded from multiple Apple and Android app stores. The Apple store has already removed it from the shelves, and the reason given by the Android app store is internal optimization and service adjustments.

Previously, an iFlytek insider responded that they are currently updating the version according to the requirements of the relevant departments, and will be put back on the shelves after the update, which is expected to take 1 to 2 weeks. The source said that iFlytek has already notified the relevant people and downgraded Cheng Kun, general manager of the Consumer BG Input Method Division, and Hu Guoping, senior vice president of the Input Method Business Group, and punished them with business assessment.

In addition, "QQ Input Method" and "Sogou Input Method", which have a relatively high market share, have also been removed from multiple Apple and Android app stores or are unavailable for download, which may also be related to the iFlytek incident.