Chapter 524: Not Afraid of Clouds Blocking Your View
On the other side of the ocean, a storm of public opinion is sweeping in with overwhelming force, far more intense than at home.
Just as Zhang Yong and Wu Yi rushed to the relevant departments to report, Western mainstream media such as the New York Times and the BBC had already deeply fermented the Prism project.
And the spearhead is clearly pointed at the "potential participant" that has not yet appeared on the list - WeChat, which has the largest user base.
“Why is WeChat immune to this?”
The Wall Street Journal took the lead and published a commentary article with this title, which was full of hints:
"For a social networking app with two billion users and headquartered in China, its data management has always been a black box.
We have reason to suspect that it has either participated in the Prism program in some undisclosed way, or is serving the strategic interests of its home country in another special form."
This article was like a stone that caused a thousand ripples. With the instigation of certain forces, panic and anger spread rapidly on Western social media.
On Twitter, tags such as “WeChatSpy” and “DeleteWeChat” began to spread virally.
Many European and American users posted screenshots of uninstalling the WeChat app, calling on people around them to switch to other communication software that is considered more "safe".
“All my business dealings are done on WeChat, and now I feel like I have no privacy at all!”
"This is not a trade issue, but a fundamental privacy issue!"
"Since the NSA can monitor, how can WeChat remain immune?"
In the Western online world, there is a mixture of various voices, but questioning is the main melody.
The official account of WeChat North America was instantly flooded with questions.
What is even more disturbing is that several hours after the Prism program was exposed, WeChat has not yet responded. To the outside world, this seems more like a sign of guilty conscience.
…
Tenda headquarters, COO office.
Wang Jing stared at the online public opinion scrolling on the screen, her brows already furrowed.
She keenly noticed something unusual: "The wind direction is wrong!"
In fact, although the Prism program shocked the world, it actually has little to do with the daily lives of ordinary people.
The NSA has neither the time nor the intention to monitor ordinary people's daily communications.
What's more, important figures such as politicians, scientific researchers, etc. from various countries will use dedicated communication tools for confidential exchanges and will never rely on civilian software such as WeChat.
Tenda Technology's name does not appear on the list of international Internet companies that have been disclosed to have participated in the Prism program. Logically speaking, this matter has little to do with WeChat.
But the current situation is that public opinion has been clearly misled by human intervention. Apparently, some forces want to take advantage of the opportunity to attack WeChat, using data security issues to turn the tables and attempt to bring it down.
At this moment, Chairman Song Ci has no news, CEO Zhang Yong is too busy to handle the matter, and the North American branch is out of reach.
Wang Jing felt overwhelmed and could only anxiously wait for the emergency public relations team to come up with a response plan.
"Boss Wang, latest news!" The secretary rushed in, his face filled with anxiety. "The trust crisis in the European and American markets continues to worsen. WeChat's overseas user churn rate increased by 2.3% in the past eight hours.
Even more serious is that news has come from our North American branch that the US Congress may hold a hearing next week on WeChat data security issues."
"This is absurd!" Wang Jing's face turned pale, and she slammed her hand on the table. "The companies involved in the Prism program are ignored, but WeChat, which strictly adhered to the bottom line and did not leak information, has become the target of public criticism? This is simply calling a horse a zebra!"
The secretary was silent and quietly retreated to the door.
Wang Jing suppressed her anger and was about to pick up the landline to urge the public relations team when the phone on the table suddenly vibrated.
I quickly looked down and saw that the Tengda executives' work group had received a new message.
After reading it carefully, the gloom on his face immediately dissipated, his mind relaxed, and he felt like he had found his backbone in an instant.
The sender is Song Ci, and the content is concise and to the point:
"I have arrived safely in Los Angeles. I am aware of the Prism incident. Domestic affairs are handled by Mr. Zhang and Mr. Wang, with the focus on clarifying the facts and appeasing public opinion.
I will personally handle international affairs. Please rest assured, WeChat is not involved in the Prism program. The key now is to negotiate and break through. I will be based in North America and handle it personally."
This message was like a magic needle that stabilized the sea, allowing Wang Jing to regain her confidence and immediately reply:
"Understood. Leave the domestic front to us. Please rest assured, Mr. Song, Mr. Zhang and I will definitely stabilize the situation."
At five o'clock in the morning Pacific Time, the streets of Los Angeles were still immersed in a hazy shroud, with street lights and morning light intertwined on the skyline.
Song Ci leaned back in the extended Lincoln's back seat, his eyes indifferently scanning the street scenes passing by outside the window.
Next to him, Wilson, President of WeChat North America, sat upright, stroking the handle of his briefcase repeatedly with his hands.
A suffocating silence filled the carriage, with only the low roar of the engine echoing in my ears.
The two of them kept silent, and did not mention anything about WeChat and the "Prism Project" in the car.
The vehicle slowly drove into the Ritz-Carlton Hotel where the Chinese delegation was staying. After a professional and meticulous inspection by security personnel, it was confirmed that there were no monitoring devices.
Song Ci then nodded slightly to Wilson, and the two of them walked into the guest room one after the other.
In the temporary reception room of the presidential suite, Song Ci walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked at the morning glow gradually spreading across the distant sky.
Behind him, Wilson was sitting on pins and needles, his usually cheerful face now filled with sorrow and fatigue.
"Boss!" Wilson finally broke the silence, his voice hoarse and dry, "They're putting too much pressure on me! I might not be able to take it anymore!"
Song Ci turned slowly and looked at his subordinates calmly.
There was no trace of emotion on his handsome face, but his words were chilling:
"Tom Wilson, I remember that 'consulting fee' you approved for Senator X two years ago.
And the mysterious gift in your daughter Jenny's trust fund..."
He paused deliberately, watching the other person's face turn pale. "If the Wall Street Journal gets to know about this, you'll lose everything you have now."
Wilson seemed to have been drained of all his strength and slumped down on the Italian leather sofa.
Of course, he remembered those "forced" operations, which were all "internal compliance funds" set up to build up political and business relations.
There are also those cross-border capital flows carefully designed to avoid taxes. Each one was signed by him personally, and each one left an indestructible record.
These operations that were once thought to be perfect have now become the sword of Damocles hanging over his head.
Silence spread in the room, with only the antique clock on the wall ticking, and every second seemed to be torturing Wilson's nerves.
After a long while, Song Ci's tone suddenly turned gentle, but still carried unquestionable weight:
"Tom, we are partners and comrades-in-arms. Remember, you are not fighting alone. Tengda's global resources are your backing."
He took a step forward, his eyes blazing, his words carrying a bewitching force, "Hold on, and we'll win together; retreat, and you'll lose everything alone. Now, tell me your decision."
A fierce struggle appeared on Wilson's face as he remembered the equity incentive agreement that had a "poison pill clause".
If you leave the company or sell out your interests for "abnormal reasons" for shares worth hundreds of millions of dollars, not only will the unlocked portion be immediately invalidated.
The company also has the right to repurchase the unlocked shares at one-tenth of the original price. This means that overnight, he will go from a billionaire to a pauper.
He also remembered the "long-term loyalty bonus" of up to 100 million US dollars, which was directly linked to WeChat's continued operation in the North American market.
As long as the US government does not impose sanctions on WeChat on the grounds of data security, this bonus will automatically roll over and increase in value at the end of each year.
The survival of WeChat is directly related to his huge wealth, which is why he has always been WeChat's most steadfast lobbyist in the United States over the years.
But what is more frightening than the temptation of money are those secrets that cannot be seen.
At Song Ci's instruction, he approved the establishment of an extremely legally vague "internal compliance fund" on the grounds of "responding to the NSA's legitimate data requests."
This fund is not only used for normal lobbying activities, but also includes a large amount of gray expenditures that cannot be seen in the light.
All these operations were signed and approved by him, the North American president, and encrypted records that could not be destroyed were left. They were finally compiled into a top-secret report, which was kept by Song Ci personally.
Not to mention the personal issues that are handled in the name of "company welfare".
Through the European branch account and complex business processes, we "legally" helped him solve the difficult private tax problems.
These operations appear flawless on the surface, but in reality they cannot withstand the most rigorous judicial audits.
Wilson's forehead was covered in cold sweat. He knew that he had already fallen into the trap carefully woven by Song Ci.
From the moment he accepted the position of President of WeChat North America, he had stepped into a sophisticated trap based on interests, fear, honor and survival.
Behind every seemingly generous treatment, there is an invisible thread; every so-called "special care" is secretly tightening the ropes that bind him.
"Boss, you win." Wilson raised his head with a wry smile, his voice filled with resigned fatigue.
"You are such a devil playing with people's hearts. Tell me what to do. I have to attend a hearing next week, and those damn congressmen will not let WeChat go easily."
Song Ci nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. He calmed down and said in a calm and steady voice:
"Tom, you should know that WeChat has developed to this day without any violations of laws or regulations.
Every step we take strictly complies with local laws and all data management complies with standards.
I just want it to live peacefully in the US, and I didn't ask you to do anything that would harm US interests!"
Wilson nodded, and the torment in his heart immediately dissipated a lot. He knew that what Song Ci said was true.
As the president of North America, he single-handedly led the development of WeChat, and every step was like walking on thin ice, as if on a tightrope.
Any violation may result in the opponent closely watching you and eventually defeating you.
WeChat has been able to gain a foothold in the US market thanks to its legal and compliant operations and strict protection of user privacy, leaving competitors unable to find any fault.
"But the current difficulties..." Wilson hesitated, and worry returned to his face.
"Don't panic, I'm here and have made arrangements." Song Ci waved his hand, his words revealing calmness and composure.
He took great pains and made plans for a long time to help WeChat survive the crisis of the "Prism Project".
It was predicted before that once the "Prism Project" was exposed, WeChat would not be able to remain immune and would definitely be caught up in this vortex that swept the world.
To this end, he had to go to the United States in person to stabilize Wilson, a key figure, and prevent him from turning against him or failing to withstand the pressure.
But when the "Prism Project" incident happened, the fig leaf was torn off, and the NSA no longer had any scruples.
If you rashly come to the United States, your own safety cannot be guaranteed, and you may be detained in the United States and unable to escape.
Therefore, he could only take advantage of the invaluable opportunity of a high-level visit to the United States to come to the United States. This great power diplomacy, with the world's attention, would make the United States hesitant to take action against him.
One thing leads to another, and in order for WeChat to survive this crisis, almost everything that can be calculated was taken into account.
From the day he chose Wilson as president of North America, he was preparing for the possible crisis.
Those seemingly generous equity incentives and those carefully designed "compliant" operations are all aimed at maintaining a firm control over the situation at critical moments.
The bigger the event, the more calm you should be.
Song Ci walked slowly to the wine cabinet and calmly poured two glasses of Scotch whisky.
The amber liquid ripples in the crystal glass, reflecting the increasingly bright morning light outside the window.
Handing a glass of wine to Wilson, Song Ci began to assign specific tasks: “Tom, you prepare three materials immediately.
WeChat encryption protocol white paper, third-party security audit reports, and our data isolation solutions in each data center."
He took a sip of whiskey and continued, "Secondly, contact our lobbying team in Washington, and have them focus on contacting those congressmen who have expressed dissatisfaction with the PRISM program.
We want to turn this hearing into a stage to showcase WeChat’s data security standards.”
Wilson took the wine glass, his fingers still trembling slightly, but his eyes had become firm again.
However, he immediately expressed embarrassment: "Boss, the key is that due to the deliberate instigation of some media, users' trust in WeChat has dropped to a historic low.
I'm afraid few ordinary people would care about these complex scientific data."
Song Ci patted Wilson's shoulder, his eyes gleaming with a deep light: "Don't worry, I have a backup plan! When the sun shines on the land of North America, you will know."
He walked to the window, looked at the rising sun, and said with confidence, "Remember, Tom, at this critical moment, we must not only respond to the crisis, but also take advantage of it.
The PRISM program not only exposes surveillance issues, but also the entire tech industry's lack of data security. This is precisely WeChat's opportunity."
Wilson nodded in understanding, the glass in his hand no longer trembling. He knew that in this coming storm, he was no longer fighting alone.
With Song Ci at the helm and Tenda Technology's global resources backing it up, WeChat can absolutely turn this crisis into an opportunity.
Outside the window, Los Angeles had fully awakened, and a new day had officially begun. Song Ci looked at the endless stream of cars on the street, and made up his mind that it was time to take action.
(Please give me a monthly ticket at the beginning of the month! Thanks (ω))
(End of this chapter)
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