Tencent barred from releasing new apps due to data breaches

Beijing's crackdown on tech companies deals another blow to internet giant

20211125 WeChat

WeChat, which hosts 1.2 billion users worldwide, is one of dozens of apps operated by Tencent, which has run repeatedly afoul of regulators. © Reuters

QIAN TONG and HAN WEI, Caixin

China's social media giant Tencent Holdings was suspended from releasing new mobile applications and updating existing ones without regulators' approval after allegations that several of its products violated consumer interests.

The order is part of "temporary administrative guidance" against Tencent as regulators ramp up scrutiny of the country's internet sector, state media reported on Wednesday. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) told app stores and platforms to implement the order immediately.

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