(Yicai Global) Dec. 20 -- Leading Chinese online security firm Qihoo 360 Technology Co. is shutting down its live-streaming platform Shuidi Live today, after it stirred controversy by allowing users to broadcast security footage online in real time.

The company recently developed smart cameras that buyers can use for security purposes and to broadcast to the web, but attracted a wave of complaints when users live streamed footage without consent of those caught on film. Qihoo is closing the platform and removing the live-streaming function on the intelligent cameras, so they can only be used for security purposes.

Teachers in several kindergartens and primary and middle schools began using the platform to broadcast their lessons in April this year, which some students believe was an invasion of privacy. Qihoo will continue to provide surveillance services to schools and kindergartens for free, but parents will not be able to watch the footage without consent from the school and teachers.

Shuidi Live was originally a non-profit project which had no business model or income, an unidentified executive said. Live broadcasting and surveillance were two independent functions on the cameras, but they were combined into one piece of hardware and buyers misused them, he added, noting that there are lessons Qihoo can learn from the incident.