Chinese downloads of police apps surge after latest Didi ride-hitching death – SCMP
What happened: Downloads of mobile apps which allow users to contact police in a video call have surged following the alleged murder and rape of a 20-year-old female Didi passenger last week. Gong’an 110, or Police 110 translated into English, was one of the most downloaded free iOS apps on Monday (August 27), despite the app being plagued by complaints of bugs and registration errors.
Why it’s important: The increased usage of these apps draw attention to the insecurity that is appearing in the wake of public outrage over the weekend. The rush has also come amid calls by authorities for greater oversight of the ride-hailing sector. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has already weighed in on the issue, saying that it will coordinate the regulation and expand the use of the social credit system across the transport industry.