{"id":13830,"date":"2024-10-16T08:46:14","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T12:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/?post_type=is-site-safe&#038;p=13830"},"modified":"2024-10-16T08:46:15","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T12:46:15","slug":"is-baidu-safe","status":"publish","type":"is-site-safe","link":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/is-site-safe\/is-baidu-safe\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Baidu Safe?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#what-is-baidu\">What Is Baidu?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#is-baidu-safe\">Is Baidu Safe?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#is-baidu-private\">Is Baidu Private?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#how-to-improve-your-safety-and-privacy-on-baidu\">How to Improve Your Safety and Privacy On Baidu<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you use or plan to use Baidu, you need to know: Is Baidu safe?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below, we explain whether Baidu is:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Safe to use.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Good for privacy.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We also look at some steps you can take to improve both your safety and privacy when using this online service.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-baidu\">What Is Baidu?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Baidu is a Chinese multinational technology company that provides internet-related services and products, including search, online advertising, and AI-driven solutions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is primarily known for its search engine, which dominates the search engine market in China. The Baidu search engine functions similarly to Google, i.e., users can use it to find web pages, images, videos, and news.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"504\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/baiduu-1-1024x504.png\" alt=\"Baidu\" class=\"wp-image-13831\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/baiduu-1-1024x504.png 1024w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/baiduu-1-300x148.png 300w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/baiduu-1-768x378.png 768w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/baiduu-1.png 1220w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Baidu also provides various internet services, such as Baidu Maps, Baidu Baike (an online encyclopedia similar to Wikipedia), and iQiyi, a popular video streaming platform in China.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The company is one of China&#8217;s &#8220;BAT&#8221; (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent) tech giants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"is-baidu-safe\">Is Baidu Safe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Depends on your definition of \u201csafe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Baidu\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/ir.baidu.com\/baidu-statement-privacy-protection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">privacy policy<\/a> states that it encrypts its services and data transmission using SSL and strives to protect personal data against unauthorized access. It also says it has \u201cappropriate measures\u201d in place to keep your personal data secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"840\" height=\"82\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/baidusecurity.png\" alt=\"Baidu 'Security' section in its privacy policy\" class=\"wp-image-13859\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/baidusecurity.png 840w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/baidusecurity-300x29.png 300w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/baidusecurity-768x75.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The company has a web page on its <a href=\"https:\/\/esg.baidu.com\/detail\/438.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">security management measures<\/a> and a 2020 <a href=\"https:\/\/esg.baidu.com\/Uploads\/File\/2023\/12\/15\/Baidu%20Special%20Report%20on%20Data%20Security,Privacy%20Protection,%20and%20Content%20Management%202020.20231215161107.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Data Security, Privacy Protection, and Content Management report<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2016, a number of apps that used code from Baidu were found to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/technology-35669817\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">leaking data<\/a> without consent.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2020, two Baidu-developed apps\u2014Baidu App and Baidu Maps\u2014were removed from Google Play after they were found to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/thomasbrewster\/2020\/11\/24\/warning-banned-baidu-apps-exposed-sensitive-data-on-up-to-14-billion-android-phones\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">leaking sensitive user content<\/a>. The issues appear to have been resolved, as both apps seem to be back on Google Play.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2016, Baidu faced a public outcry after a college student died from cancer after an experimental treatment he found <a href=\"https:\/\/qz.com\/674030\/baidu-chinas-version-of-google-is-evil-a-growing-number-of-users-say\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">advertised prominently<\/a> on Baidu&#8217;s search engine. Investigations revealed that Baidu allowed paid advertisements for unverified medical treatments.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The security company UpGuard gives Baidu a score of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.upguard.com\/security-report\/baidu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">626 out of 950<\/a> for its site security. Among the concerns noted are that secure cookies aren&#8217;t used, the server information header is exposed, no valid Content Security Policy is implemented, and HttpOnly cookies aren&#8217;t used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"is-baidu-private\">Is Baidu Private?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No, Baidu is not generally considered a strong option for privacy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a Chinese company, Baidu operates under the country&#8217;s strict internet regulations, which include <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/digital-surveillance-is-omnipresent-in-china-heres-how-citizens-are-coping-225628\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">government surveillance<\/a> and data collection. User data on Baidu is subject to government oversight, and the platform adheres to extensive censorship policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Baidu has been criticized in the past for selling the hemophilia online community on Tieba (a Baidu forum similar to Reddit) to unqualified private hospitals. In response, Baidu said it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chinadaily.com.cn\/business\/2016-01\/12\/content_23052646.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">would stop monetizing<\/a> all illness-related forums on Tieba.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2021, the online publication TechRadar rated Baidu 3 out of 5. One of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/reviews\/baidu-search-engine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cons listed<\/a> was \u201climited privacy features.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In its minimal <a href=\"https:\/\/ir.baidu.com\/baidu-statement-privacy-protection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">privacy policy<\/a>, Baidu outlines that it collects personal information, uses cookies and other technologies, and maintains usage records for each user.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Baidu&#8217;s privacy policy has not been graded by an external review site such as <a href=\"https:\/\/tosdr.org\/en\/service\/870\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Terms of Service; Didn&#8217;t Read<\/a> (ToS;DR). However, ToS;DR notes that user data is processed and stored in a country that is less friendly to user privacy protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-improve-your-safety-and-privacy-on-baidu\">How to Improve Your Safety and Privacy On Baidu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Follow the steps below for a more private and secure experience while using Baidu services:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Use a VPN.<\/strong> Access Baidu through a reliable VPN to mask your IP address and location, reducing the risk of tracking and government surveillance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Clear cookies regularly. <\/strong>Frequently clear your browser\u2019s cookies and cache to minimize tracking and data collection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Limit personal information.<\/strong> Avoid logging in to Baidu services or sharing personal information to reduce data collection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Download apps from official sources. <\/strong>Download Baidu apps and software only from official sources to avoid malware.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Protect your devices.<\/strong> Use reputable security software to detect and block malicious activities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Monitor app permissions. <\/strong>Regularly check the permissions granted to Baidu apps on your devices and turn off any that are not essential for the apps\u2019 functionality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Opt for privacy-focused search engines.<\/strong> For sensitive queries, use search engines that don\u2019t track user data.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Follow security news.<\/strong> Stay up to date with the latest on Baidu&#8217;s privacy practices and any reported security issues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Be skeptical of ads.<\/strong> Be cautious of ads, especially those that seem too good to be true or prompt urgent action.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our guide to whether Baidu is safe and private.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":13831,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13830","is-site-safe","type-is-site-safe","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/is-site-safe\/13830","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/is-site-safe"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/is-site-safe"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13830"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/is-site-safe\/13830\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13831"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}