Rumor: Alibaba Invests in Mobile Privacy App Developer
Sohu IT, 12/25/13
According to media reports, Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group has invested an 8-digit USD figure in Beijing-based Yongyang Anfeng Technology, developer of mobile privacy app LBE Security Master. According to the reports, Alibaba and Yongyang Anfeng will also soon jointly release an app distribution platform, "Taobao Zhushou" ("Taobao Assistant"), with later cooperation to involve Alibaba third-party payment processor Alipay's Alipay Wallet mobile app.
Gao Ruowei, marketing director for LBE Security Master, has stated that the reports are unofficial, but declined to provide any further details. Alibaba refused to comment on the rumors.
The LBE team was established in 2008 by 3 technicians, with a focus on the development of Android ROMs. In 2011, the team established Yongyang Anfeng, and transitioned into the mobile security field. In December 2011, the company launched its LBE Security Master app, initially known as LBE Privacy Guard, with users surpassing 60 mln in November 2013.
In February 2012, Yongyang Anfeng signed a cooperation agreement with Beijing-based Android handset developer Xiaomi to provide support for version 4 of the company's Android-based MIUI operating system.
Keywords: LBE Security Master Yongyang Anfeng Taobao Assistant Gao Ruowei users wireless Alibaba Group mobile security investment