After a concert in China, a Shanghai resident experienced an influx of calls when the performing singer shared a random phone number, claiming it to be his. - Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo
BEIJING (SCMP): Chinese singer Zhang Jie inadvertently revealed a random phone number as his own during a concert, resulting in a surge of calls to an unsuspecting Shanghai resident.
The 41-year-old made his television debut by winning the mainland reality singing competition My Show in 2004 and was later signed by Universal Music China. Zhang’s cheerful personality and impressive vocal range have garnered him a large following, amassing 82 million followers on Weibo.
On September 6, during a concert in Fujian province, southeastern China, fans prompted Zhang to share his phone number. He jokingly invented a number, incorporating digits from his birth date, and teased fans that he would call them that night.
This incident quickly gained media attention, highlighting the unintended consequences of celebrity actions. - Photo: Weibo/SCMP
However, a report by Fengmian News revealed that the randomly chosen digits corresponded to an actual phone number belonging to a Shanghai resident, who suddenly received numerous calls from strangers and had to turn off their phone as a result.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion on mainland social media.
Supporters of Zhang defended him, stating: “We understand he did not do it on purpose, and he did not expect the made-up number to be real. Fans all understand him.”
Conversely, other users criticised him, arguing: “Zhang lacks basic legal knowledge. Celebrities should be cautious about their behaviour in public.”
Another commenter added: “A celebrity’s influence is tremendous. Zhang’s fans have caused distress to the innocent resident.”
Some observers suggested that concert staff should prepare a special number in advance, allowing fans to call a pre-recorded message instead.
This event raises questions about privacy and the responsibilities of public figures when sharing personal information, even in jest. - Photo: Weibo/SCMP
Yu Long, a lawyer from Beijing Wei Heng Law Firm, told Fengmian News that fans calling a stranger’s number could infringe on personal privacy. Chinese law prohibits the violation of privacy through harassment or public exposure.
“Zhang’s action was not intended to disturb anyone’s peace, but it was negligence that caused harm. He should promptly issue a statement to clarify the facts and prevent further infringement of privacy,” Yu stated.
On September 9, Zhang announced he had reached out to the phone number’s owner to apologise and urged his fans to “stop calling or texting adisnd bothering the owner”.
The response from the phone number’s owner has not been disclosed to date.
The incident also echoed previous cases where private phone numbers were accidentally revealed.
In 2018, a real phone number was shown in the mainland television series The Revolution Of Our Love, leading to thousands of calls directed at the owner. The production company was subsequently ordered to pay compensation of 35,000 yuan (US$5,000). - South China Morning Post
