Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi / Bloomberg
Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi / Bloomberg
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Alibaba’s UC Browser has disappeared from China’s largest app stores after state-backed CCTV TV dumped the popular mobile browser along with other services for deficient consumers.
Government-run China Central Television has included the application among several brands it has accused of violating consumer rights in its annual name and shame program for March 15, World Consumer Rights Day. Application stores managed by Huawei Technologies Co. and However, Xiaomi Corp. was among the local app stores that launched the app since then Apple Inc. continues to provide UCWeb for iOS users.
The browser is among a lot of consumer products requested on Monday. 360 Security Technology Inc. shares fell in Shanghai after CCTV reported that ads in its search product contained false medical information, while the broadcaster also watched from Infiniti customer service owned by Nissan Motor Co. to recognize the face of software defects.
But the report came at a sensitive time for Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., which is facing increased government control over its growing influence in the internet and media spheres, with uncertain results. Like 360, he has been accused of running fake commercials.
The Alibaba unit apologized in a statement for its “problems”, as is customary with the companies named that day. He undertook to set up a dedicated team to look into the allegations. “We will take further steps to strengthen our review procedures and impose stricter standards,” the company said in a statement.
UC browser deletion was first reported by the Financial Times.
– With the assistance of Coco Liu and Yuan Gao