Apps owned by Didi must be removed in China for violation of personal data collection

The Chinese regulator has ordered the removal of the app stores of 25 apps owned by Didi Global, the country’s largest ridesharing service, citing serious violations of rules banning the collection of personal data.

China’s Cyberspace Administration had already removed the main Didi app last Sunday, pending a cybersecurity review, after it entered the US stock market last week.

The 25 additional apps include Didi Enterprises, as well as those designed for Didi pilots. A spokesperson for Didi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The move comes after Chinese authorities announced earlier this week that they would tighten supervision of listed companies overseas. Under the new measures, the regulation of data security and cross-border data flows, as well as the management of confidential data, will be improved.

Didi is the latest company to face the Chinese government’s scrutiny. An investigation revealed “serious violations” in the way Didi collected and used personal information, the internet regulator said earlier in the week. A statement said the company had been asked to “rectify the problems” but gave no details.

The internet regulator also said Didi was prohibited from accepting new clients until investigations were completed.

Didi was founded in 2012 as a taxi app and has expanded to other ridesharing options including private cars and buses. He says he is also investing in electric cars, artificial intelligence and other technological developments.

Didi has raised $ 4 billion from investors as part of its New York stock offering.

Last year, the ruling Communist Party began to tighten its control over China’s rapidly evolving internet industries, launching anti-monopoly investigations and others. Earlier this year, authorities fined Alibaba a record $ 2.8 billion for antitrust violations and launched an investigation into the Meituan food delivery platform for alleged monopoly behavior.

Saturday, the Chinese market regulator blocked video game supported by Tencent Huya and Douyu live streaming platforms to merge following anti-monopoly investigation.

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