Feb 03, 2021 11:41:00

TikTok developer sues WeChat-operated Tencent for antitrust violations

Has developed a short video sharing app 'TikTok'

ByteDance is, to operate the WeChat messaging service Tencent was sued as 'in violation of the antitrust laws.' Tencent, who has been sued, has denied the proceedings and is poised to counter them thoroughly.

ByteDance Sues Arch-Rival Tencent Over Alleged Monopolies --Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-02/bytedance-sues-arch-rival-tencent-over-alleged-monopolies

TikTok owner ByteDance sues Tencent over alleged monopolistic practices, WeChat owner vows to countersue | South China Morning Post
https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3120266/tiktok-owner-bytedance-sues-tencent-over-alleged-monopolistic

ByteDance claimed that 'Tencent blocked access to TikTok's domestic version of TikTok's Douyin link on Wechat and Tencent QQ ,' resulting in damages of 90 million yuan (about 146 million yen). I have requested compensation.

Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, is also very popular in China, and according to ByteDance's (PDF file) report , the number of daily active users has reached 400 million as of January 2020.

On the other hand, WeChat is a messenger app with more than 1 billion users, and it has various functions such as cashless payment and management of new coronavirus infected people, so install it to live in modern Chinese society with Tencent QQ. It is a must-have app.

by Albert Hsieh

Tencent added a new short video sharing feature to WeChat in late 2020. According to economic media Bloomberg, WeChat's short video sharing feature is exactly what it competes with Douyin and TikTok, with more than 200 million active users a day in less than half a year since its release. However, it is unclear whether ByteDance's claim of 'blocking access to Douyin's videos' is implemented.

ByteDance said, 'We believe that market competition is better for consumers and promotes innovation.' 'We have filed a proceeding to protect our rights and the rights of our users.' I have.

On the other hand, Tencent said, 'We are servicing users and third-party products based on the principles of fair competition and open collaboration.' 'We have not received any documents regarding ByteDance proceedings.' He commented that the accusation was a malicious falsehood. In addition, Tencent claims that 'ByteDance has damaged the Tencent ecosystem and violated the rights of its users,' proclaiming a head-to-head opposition to ByteDance.