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Alibaba’s UC browser has been removed from Chinese app stores for failing Consumers...? Why? Here's all you need to know

Alibaba’s UC Browser was removed from China’s largest app stores after state-backed broadcaster CCTV listed the popular mobile browser along with other services for failing consumers.

Government-run China Central Television included UC browser among a number of brands it accused of flouting 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 among the local app stores that’ve since pulled the app, though Apple Inc. continues to offer UCWeb for iOS users.

The broadcaster also went after everything from Nissan Motor Co.-owned Infiniti’s customer service to face-recognition software failings.

This report by state-backed broadcaster CCTV came at a time for Alibaba Group Holding which is grappling with intensifying government scrutiny over its growing influence in the internet and media spheres, with uncertain outcomes.

Back in February, Alibaba had beaten quarterly revenue estimates with core commerce revenue rising 38 per cent to a record high of 195.54 billion yuan in the quarter, powered by the company’s China retail marketplaces as the economy rebounded from the Covid-19 crisis.

In January, Alibaba and Ant co-founder Jack Ma has resurfaced after months out of public view, quashing intense speculation about the plight of the billionaire grappling with escalating scrutiny over his internet empire.

Jack Ma had kept out of public view since early November 2020, when Chinese regulators torpedoed Ant’s $35-billion IPO, tightened fintech regulations, then ordered an overhaul of Ant and launched a separate antitrust probe into Alibaba — all in a span of days.