The app reportedly experienced a surge in queries this week after a newspaper exposed a food safety scandal.
App Tracking Fuel Tankers in China Repurposed for Cooking Oil Transport Disabled
An app used for tracking trucks across China has been disabled following a scandal. Reporters revealed that tankers, originally transporting fuel, were repurposed to carry cooking oil without proper cleaning in between trips.
Chinese media reported on Thursday that the tracking feature of Shipping Help, the app used for cargo tracking, had been disabled. Users were informed that the service was undergoing an "upgrade" and was temporarily unavailable.
Previously, Shipping Help allowed both individuals and businesses to track specific trucks using satellite monitoring. This week, the app saw a surge in queries after reports surfaced about tankers transporting fuel being used to transport edible oil on return trips without adequate disinfection. Concerns arose about potentially contaminated oil entering the food supply chain, prompting public outrage.
The scandal prompted the Chinese government to promise investigations and penalties for violators. Food safety concerns among the Chinese public have been heightened, with doubts about the enforcement of health and safety standards.
The initial report by Beijing News, a state-run outlet, triggered independent tracking efforts to trace the contaminated oil's destination. Some reports indicated deliveries to packaging facilities operated by well-known brands like Jinlongyu, a popular soybean oil brand in Chinese supermarkets, which stated compliance with regulations.
The incident raised eyebrows because state media typically operate under strict censorship. Some speculated that disabling Shipping Help's tracking function aimed to contain the scandal's scope.
"In the era of information, data equals power," commented one Weibo user. "But this power can also leave people feeling helpless. I hope every 'system upgrade' serves to improve user service rather than cover up issues."