https://sputnikglobe.com/20210727/chinese-tech-regulator-clamps-down-on-anticompetitive-practices-breaks-tencents-music-deals-1083467643.html
Chinese Tech Regulator Clamps Down on Anticompetitive Practices, Breaks Tencent’s Music Deals
Chinese Tech Regulator Clamps Down on Anticompetitive Practices, Breaks Tencent’s Music Deals
Sputnik International
Chinese market regulators began cracking down last year on monopoly practices by the country’s tech giants, including the practice known as “picking sides,” in... 27.07.2021, Sputnik International
2021-07-27T01:01+0000
2021-07-27T01:01+0000
2021-07-27T01:01+0000
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On Monday, China’s chief tech regulator said it was taking new action against anticompetitive practices as part of a new six-month campaign to make Chinese platforms more user-friendly.One example given by the Associated Press is the “malicious blocking of website links” from one company’s apps on another’s, preventing users of apps made by Alibaba from going directly to those made by the company’s chief rival, Tencent. Other issues include gratuitous pop-up ads on websites, especially ones that take up the entire screen and present a fake “close” button.In April, Alibaba was given the largest fine thus far when Chinese regulators hit it with a $2.8 billion fine on charges of suppressing the competition. More recently, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) hit 22 companies with $75,000 fines each for actions including acquiring stakes in other companies that might improperly increase their market power, the AP reported earlier this month. Six of those companies were part of Alibaba Group and five were owned by Tencent.Also on Monday, Tencent was ordered by the SAMR to relinquish its exclusive music rights with global record labels within the next 30 days or be fined $77,000. According to SCMP, it is the first ruling that specifically deals with the anticompetitive effects of a merger deal, referring to its ownership of Tencent Music Entertainment Group. Originally known as China Music Corporation, it is China’s largest label and was bought by TenCent in 2016.
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science & tech, society, newsfeed, alibaba group, tencent, monopoly, practices, china, chinese ministry of industry and information technology
science & tech, society, newsfeed, alibaba group, tencent, monopoly, practices, china, chinese ministry of industry and information technology
Chinese Tech Regulator Clamps Down on Anticompetitive Practices, Breaks Tencent’s Music Deals
Chinese market regulators began cracking down last year on monopoly practices by the country’s tech giants, including the practice known as “picking sides,” in which vendors are forced to choose between a family of platforms or those of their rivals, but cannot mix and match between companies.
On Monday, China’s chief tech regulator said it was taking new action against anticompetitive practices as part of a new six-month campaign to make Chinese platforms more user-friendly.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology didn’t name specific targets in its Monday release, but did lay out some of its chief concerns, according to the Wall Street Journal. Those include disrupting market order, infringing on users’ rights, and mishandling user data, the paper said.
One example given by the
Associated Press is the “malicious blocking of website links” from one company’s apps on another’s, preventing users of apps made by Alibaba from going directly to those made by the company’s chief rival, Tencent. Other issues include gratuitous pop-up ads on websites, especially ones that take up the entire screen and present a fake “close” button.
In April, Alibaba was given the largest fine thus far when Chinese regulators hit it with a $2.8 billion fine on charges of suppressing the competition. More recently, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) hit 22 companies with $75,000 fines each for actions including acquiring stakes in other companies that might improperly increase their market power,
the AP reported earlier this month. Six of those companies were part of Alibaba Group and five were owned by Tencent.
Last week, Tencent and Alibaba were among several firms fined an undisclosed amount for spreading sexually suggestive content involving children, including allowing the use of what the Cyberspace Administration of China called “soft child porn” emoji stickers. Affected apps included Tencent’s QQ messaging app, Alibaba’s e-commerce platform Taobao, the social media microblogging platform Sina Weibo, and social e-commercial app Xiaohongshu, according to the South China Morning Post.
Also on Monday, Tencent was ordered by the SAMR to relinquish its exclusive music rights with global record labels within the next 30 days or be fined $77,000.
According to SCMP, it is the first ruling that specifically deals with the anticompetitive effects of a merger deal, referring to its ownership of Tencent Music Entertainment Group. Originally known as China Music Corporation, it is China’s largest label and was bought by TenCent in 2016.
