Qihoo 360's live-streaming platform disabled amid privacy concerns

Chinese internet security firm Qihoo 360 has shut down its live-streaming platform permanently amid a controversy over privacy, reports techweb.com.cn.

Screenshot of videos being broadcast via Shuidi Live, Qihoo 360's now-closed live streaming platform, December 13, 2017. [Screenshot: China Plus]

Qihoo 360 has been accused of not shutting down its smart camera functions, live-streaming some of its users in public places without informing them.

"Due to internal business adjustments, Shuidi Live will halt operations as of today," the company announced on its website.

The Qihoo 360 statement does say that its smart camera option will still continue to "provide credible monitoring functions for security and protection."

Screenshot announcing Qihoo 360's live-streaming platform, Shuidi Live, is being permanently shut down, December 20, 2017. [Screenshot: China Plus]

"The majority of our users are only registered for security. The live-streaming functions require a complicated registration procedure to activate," said Zhang Xisheng, product manager of Shuidi Live.

Qihoo 360 came under scrutiny in early December after an online article revealed the company had been live-streaming people in gyms, restaurants and stores.

The company's live-streaming option was also found broadcasting images from a school classroom earlier this year, raising concerns about student privacy and safety.