Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi / Bloomberg
Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi / Bloomberg
Alibaba’s UC browser disappeared from China’s largest app stores after state-sponsored broadcaster CCTV destroyed the popular mobile browser along with other services for failing consumers.
Government-run China Central Television included the app under a number of brands it was accused of violating consumer rights in its annual name-and-shame program for March 15, World Consumer Rights Day. App stores are run by Huawei Technologies Co. and Xiaomi Corp. however, was among the local app stores that have since pulled the app Apple Inc. continues to offer UCWeb for iOS users.
The browser was one of many consumer products announced on Monday. 360 Security Technology Inc.’s shares fell in Shanghai after CCTV reported that ads in its search product contained fake medical information, while the broadcaster also reported Infiniti, owned by Nissan Motor Co., customer service for facial recognition software issues.
But the report came at a sensitive time for Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., which is grappling with tighter government scrutiny of its growing influence on the Internet and in the media, with uncertain results. Like 360, it was accused of running fake ads.
The Alibaba unit apologized in a statement for its “troubles”, as is common practice with companies mentioned to the day. It promised to create a dedicated team to investigate the allegations. “We will take further steps to strengthen our assessment processes and enforce stricter standards,” the company said in its statement.
UC Browser removal was first reported by the Financial Times.
– With the help of Coco Liu and Yuan Gao