A Chinese software program developer is going through backlash after a author accused its phrase processing software program WPS of locking her out of a novel draft, claiming that the doc accommodates “sensitive content.” WPS has denied the claims, however extra customers have come ahead with related experiences, elevating considerations over the extent of on-line censorship by Chinese authorities.

The Chinese novelist, who goes by the alias Mitu, was utilizing WPS, which is analogous to Google Docs, to jot down up her novel, when she immediately may now not entry the doc on June 25. Mitu spoke out about her expertise via the Chinese literature discussion board Lkong, saying that WPS was “spying on and locking my draft,” according to MIT Technology Review. Her plight was shared via completely different on-line platforms, with a number of folks reporting that the identical factor had occurred to them earlier than.

Meanwhile, WPS issued a statement on Weibo, denying that the software program would lock one among its customers out of a doc. However, WPS went on to make clear that any on-line service in China is obligated by legislation to evaluate the content material on their platforms, however that they’d defend the safety of consumer data. Mitu mentioned that she reported the difficulty to WPS, and was ultimately granted entry to the doc, according to the South China Morning Post. But nonetheless, the incident prompted a number of customers to reply to the WPS assertion by declaring that they’d uninstall the software program.

WPS paperwork usually are not end-to-end encrypted, permitting the corporate to view the contents of the paperwork. But the newest transfer of locking a consumer out of their doc triggered an ongoing dialogue over China’s on-line censorship, and the way a lot tech corporations are compelled to oblige with authorities. The Chinese authorities has one of many world’s largest on-line censorship equipment often known as the “Great Firewall of China,” which employs millions of those who observe and block content material.

This marks the primary time WPS has been concerned in a public outcry over censorship, elevating fears that Chinese authorities could now intervene with private paperwork earlier than they’re even printed by limiting consumer entry to them.