Alibaba’s UC Browser has reportedly been removed from several app stores in China. This is allegedly the result of a feud between Alibaba owner Jack Ma and Chinese authorities.
Reportedly, the Android app store operated by Huawei and Xiaomi has blocked UC Browser. This was stated directly by Huawei and Xiaomi cellphone users.
But one Samsung smartphone user in China said they could still view the browser on the Samsung app store. The same thing is still available on Apple’s App Store.
CCTV Criticize UC Browser
For information, the blockage came after UC Browser was criticized. Which is on a television show broadcast by China Central Television (CCTV) about misleading online media advertisements.
The event accused the UC browser of allowing private hospitals to use the name of the most famous hospital in China as a search engine. Thus this has the potential to lure prospective patients to their website when patients should visit public hospitals.
“We attach great importance to the issues presented. And quickly take a series of actions to check and fix,” a UC Browser spokesman said, quoting from CNBC.
His party said the illegal advertising content mentioned in the CCTV footage would soon be removed.
“We will improve content reviews and take on a lot of responsibility, and provide good info services with stricter standards,” he said.
Xi Jin Ping Getting Loud with Big Tech Companies
Furthermore, the browser closure came a day after President Xi Jinping warned that the government is now cracking down on large technology companies operating in China.
The Financial Times quoted the decision to remove UC Browser as a blow to Jack Ma’s business. Moreover, the move comes a day after a Communist party leadership meeting led by the president issued an unusual warning to the technology sector of its growing size and influence.
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