Beijing Targets Data Collection in Short-Video, Job-Posting Apps

   By Clarence Leong

China has named more than 100 applications which it said were in breach of data-collection regulations, as the government widened the scope of its clampdown on the internet sector.

Among the apps identified were those run by some of the biggest technology companies, such as Microsoft Corp.'s LinkedIn, Baidu Inc., Kuaishou Technology and ByteDance Ltd. The Cyberspace Administration of China said Friday that the apps have collected user data unrelated to their services. The agency's latest action focused on short-video apps, web browsers and those offering job-posting services. App operators will be given 15 working days to rectify the issues.

The country's top internet watchdog made a similar move earlier this month against more than 30 apps used for keyboard input and navigation. Beijing's scrutiny of the country's powerful tech industry has intensified in recent months, as hefty antitrust-related fines have been imposed on Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Tencent Holdings Ltd. and others.

Write to Clarence Leong at clarence.leong@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 21, 2021 02:46 ET (06:46 GMT)

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