Racy photos prompt Alipay apology as social-media push backfires

Hong Kong

ANT Financial's attempt to add a social-network function to China's biggest payments platform has backfired.

Within hours of launching its "Circles" function, the financial affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd was embarrassed when pictures of scantily clad young women were posted in exchange for money. After widespread online criticism, executive chairman Lucy Peng apologised on Tuesday for introducing the Tinder-like feature to the Alipay app.