(Bloomberg) – Alibaba’s UC browser has disappeared from China’s biggest app stores after state broadcaster CCTV blew up the popular mobile browser along with other services to weaken consumers.
China Central Television, which is run by the government, has included the app in a number of brands it has accused of contesting consumer rights, in its annual name-and-shame program for March 15, World Consumer Rights Day. App stores run by Huawei Technologies Co. and Xiaomi Corp. were one of the local app stores to pull the app since, though Apple Inc. still hosts UCWeb for iOS users.
The browser was among a plethora of consumer products announced Monday. The shares of 360 Security Technology Inc. fell in Shanghai after CCTV reported that ads in its search product contained false medical information, while the broadcaster also did everything from Infiniti’s customer service, which owns Nissan Motor Co., to software failures.
But the report comes at a sensitive time for Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., which is grappling with the intensified government’s investigation into its growing influence on the internet and media sphere, with uncertain results. Like 360, he was accused of offering fake ads.
The Alibaba unit apologized in a statement for its “expenses”, as is customary at companies mentioned on the day. It promised to set up a dedicated team to look into the allegations. “We will take further steps to strengthen our review procedures and apply stricter standards,” the company said in a statement.
The removal of UC Browser was first reported by the Financial Times.
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