Yahoo Inc. announced its withdrawal from China on Tuesday, the move was largely symbolic because many of the firm’s services were already inaccessible in China due to its digital censorship.
Yahoo exits China
Recent government actions to increase influence over technology businesses might have affected Yahoo’s decisions.
Yahoo said in a statement: “In recognition of the increasingly challenging business and legal environment in China, Yahoo’s suite of services will no longer be accessible from mainland China as of November 1. Yahoo remains committed to the rights of our users and a free and open internet. We thank our users for their support.”
The firm’s action follows the escalating tensions between the United States and China. The United States has imposed strict limitations on telecommunications giant Huawei and other Chinese technology firms, alleging that they are linked to the Chinese government. China charges that the United States is restricting competition unfairly and attempting to curb China’s technological progress.
More anti-crypto policies are being prepared in China
Yahoo‘s withdrawal occurred at the same time as China’s Personal Information Protection Law went into effect, which restricts what data companies can gather and establishes privacy standards for how it should be stored. China’s data privacy laws also demand that firms submit data to the state if compelled to do so.
Yahoo is not the only company deciding to exit China. For example, LinkedIn, a professional networking site owned by Microsoft, announced its withdrawal.
