Oops! Chinese App Publishes Videos of Users’ Naked Charades
Charades has always been a game of interpersonal interaction. But for some who have played an electronic version touted on Alibaba’s chat service, the interaction might have been a little more interpersonal than they had bargained for.
The electronic version of the game is called “Crazy Dealings,” and until this week it could be downloaded through Alibaba Group Holding Laiwang mobile chat service, as well as on other platforms.
To play, one needs only a partner and a mobile phone or other gadget. Player one holds the phone so that only player two can see the screen. The app flashes a word – it can be anything from the word “kidnap” to Mao Zedong to Santa Claus – and the second player has to silently act it out. The player holding the phone then has to guess what the second player is trying to convey.
Unbeknownst to many players, the app also can and did record video of many players’ charades. Those players weren't aware that the game was uploading these videos to Youku Tudou, one of China’s most popular online video sites. Once posted there, it became suddenly apparent that some like to play the game in intimate settings and compromising positions.
The companies involved moved quickly to disable the video-sharing function after it was reported in local media on Tuesday. Yukou Tuduo said it had pulled “inappropriate videos” and shut the game’s account. It declined to comment further.
In response to questions, Alibaba pointed to a statement from the game’s developer, Hortor Software, and its operator, Zhejiang Zhile Network Co. The companies said in the statement that “Crazy Dealings” didn’t inform users their activities would be uploaded to a video-streaming site. The statement said the companies pulled the video account from Youku and disabled the sharing function. “Per this mistake, we, as the developer and operator of the game, apologize sincerely to affected users,” they said.
Laiwang no longer lists the game among favorites to be downloaded, though it can be found in other app stores in China. Perhaps predictably, downloads surged after the news came out, according to one local media report (in Chinese). China Real Time has played with the game a bit, though should we end up on video, you’ll find us acting out only in a fully clothed and professional matter.
–Lilian Lin and Carlos Tejada. Follow Lilian on Twitter @LilianLinyigu and Carlos @CRTejada
