103 Public Enemy
Baidu Corporation was very efficient. By the time Li Chengqian walked out of the conference room, the announcement to refute the rumors on the internet had already been sent out.
"Baidu Corporation and Divine Dragon Software Company have become partners. It is business as usual at Baidu Corporation. We have not been affected by any virus. Our software department has completed investigations and have determined that the Divine Dragon Optimization App has not stolen user data."
At the same time, He Hongyan also commented on Wu Botao's Weibo post, "Don't make baseless allegations."
After the two messages were sent, the situation changed immediately.
The number of people denouncing the Divine Dragon Software Company on the internet suddenly decreased.
The number of people cursing Li Chengqian also decreased by a lot.
"Baidu Corporation said that there's no problem with the Divine Dragon Optimization App. Why don't we install it back?"
"I didn't feel it in the past, but after I uninstalled the Divine Dragon Optimization App on my phone, I can feel the difference in speed. It is lagging so badly now."
"To be honest, the Divine Dragon Optimization App really works very well."
"After installing the Divine Dragon Optimization App, I can play League of Legends on my phone. After uninstalling the App, I can't even start the game on my phone."
"Oh my god, I can't install the Divine Dragon Optimization App. The system has banned it."
"I can't install it on my Heyme phone either!"
"It can't be installed on OPPO phones either."
Just as some users tried to reinstall the Divine Dragon Optimization App, they realized that… the App had been banned on their phones.
"It's caused by the system's forced update! After the system update, the Divine Dragon Optimization App cannot be installed on all mobile phones!"
"Damn, I just tried it. The updated system can't be downgraded. I can't resolve this."
"The Divine Dragon Optimization App has been banned by all mobile phone manufacturers. Other than the mobile phones that already had it installed, the App can't be installed on mobile phones anymore."
Most users were layman users. After realizing that they couldn't install the Divine Dragon Optimization App on their phones, they could only give up after cursing a little.
Through Baidu Corporation's announcement and their clarification on the rumors, the Divine Dragon Software Company's reputation was partially restored. However, due to the impact of this incident, they couldn't get back the number of installations they had before.
They've won their reputation, but lost their users.
No matter how one looked at it, the Divine Dragon Software Company had suffered a huge loss.
…
At this moment, Tencent Corporation published an update on their Weibo account. They have waged a public opinion war to completely ruin the reputation of Li Chengqian and the Divine Dragon Software Company. They also shared what happened to them in a bid to gain the users' sympathy.
'Notice to Divine Dragon Software Company to Stop their Criminal Conduct Immediately'
'Notice of Official Complaint Lodged with Police Department'
'Notice of Writ Summons in Legal Suit'
'@Cyberspace Administration Office, complaint hereby lodged against the Divine Dragon Software Company. Li Chengqian brazenly used a virus software to control Tencent Corporation's servers, software, and computer equipment. Tencent Corporation's operations have yet to return to normal!
The Corporation's losses are huge and estimates cannot be made yet.
The internet is not a lawless land! Please get your Office to intervene and commence investigations immediately. Justice has to be served.
"Divine Dragon Software Company and Li Chengqian are bullies. They rely on their technology to do whatever they want on the internet. He's an internet bully. His company is unethical. He has to be punished."
Tencent Corporation's official Weibo account had a total of 50 million followers.
These Weibo posts blew up the internet.
"Divine Dragon Software Company is too powerful. They have actually controlled Tencent Corporation's servers and software. Moreover, there was nothing Tencent's staff could do to regain control."
"Tencent Corporation has lodged a report against the Divine Dragon Software Company, accusing them of using internet bully tactics. This is getting interesting!"
"This Li Chengqian is really aggressive. He managed to control Tencent Corporation's servers and software. Tencent Corporation has so many security experts and yet none could resolve this. This is a slap in their face!"
Of course, other than those who despised Tencent Corporation's technology, more people began to speak after reading Tencent Corporation's news releases.
There were many trolls in the mix swaying public opinion.
"Virus Company!"
"Virus company. They can even control Tencent Corporation's server and software to steal our personal data. It's that simple."
"The pay scam definitely has something to do with the Divine Dragon Software Company."
"Users have shared that their personal chat history and private photos were leaked after they installed the Divine Dragon Optimization App on their phones. This is definitely true. The Divine Dragon Software Company is the company that manufactured the virus."
"What did Baidu Corporation say?"
"Are you stupid? It's said that Baidu Corporation is a major shareholder of the Divine Dragon Software Company. Of course they are speaking up for them!"
"Baidu Corporation is no angel either. Go online and search. You'll know how many evil deeds Baidu Corporation has done."
Under the deliberate influence of the trolls, the winds of public opinion changed again.
"Divine Dragon Software Company is a virus company! Li Chengqian is a drug lord!"
"Divine Dragon Software Company and Li Chengqian are simply lawless!"
"The internet is not a lawless land. Internet bullies must be severely punished!"
"A lawless person like Li Chengqian should be locked up in prison."
"Everyone, you must share Tencent Corporation's Weibo post to let more people know how evil the Divine Dragon Software Company and Li Chengqian are, lest anyone be deceived by them again."
"Everyone, let's post our comments on Tencent Corporation's page. An unethical company like this deserves to be cursed!"
…
Lin Tian Internet Media Company controlled a large number of Weibo accounts. Besides the usual user accounts, they also have direct control over many verified user accounts.
This round of troll attack on the Divine Dragon Software Company was masterminded by Lin Tian.
Lin Tian used its user accounts to leave a large number of comments and hype up the topic. Then, it triggered the masses' emotions and influenced their views in the direction they were aiming for.
This process had become standard operating procedure.
At this moment, looking at the 1 million yuan paid into his account, the boss of the company, Lin Tian, was all smiles. "If only there were a few more such requests."
A small company like the Divine Dragon Software Company was defenseless against a professional internet media company. It had no PR expertise, no ability to defend itself and no ability to refute rumors.
Just like this time, Li Chengqian and Divine Dragon Software Company became notorious within an hour. The entire internet was cursing and criticizing them.
There was a piece of news released by Tencent Corporation and a negative report on the Divine Dragon Optimization App the day before.
Lin Tian Internet Media Company manipulated and controlled public opinion effortlessly.
In fact, most internet users had almost no ability to think critically for themselves. They could be triggered easily and under the influence of professionals, they could easily be used as weapons.
Moreover, the article defaming Divine Dragon Optimization App on the internet yesterday was in fact concocted by Lin Tian Internet Media Company.
"Next, continue to influence public opinion on the internet. You must pin Divine Dragon Software Company, Li Chengqian, and the Divine Dragon Optimization App on the internet hall of fame, and send them into the abyss of the internet. Condemn them!" At this moment, an anonymous message was sent to the anonymous chat software specially used to sign on such business requests.
"Don't worry, the Divine Dragon Software Company and Li Chengqian will become public enemy number one on the internet. Everyone will hate them. They will never be able to make a comeback on the internet," Lin Tian replied confidently.