Chinese Android app stores remove Alibaba’s UC browser, it’s still available for Apple devices

BEIJING: Chinese app stores have removed Alibaba Group’s UC Browser for mobiles, after it was criticised on Chinese state television’s annual consumer rights show for including medical ads by unqualified companies.

China has been tightening regulation of its vast internet sector, with the Alibaba e-commerce empire founded by billionaire Jack Ma facing especially heavy scrutiny.

UC Browser could not be downloaded on Android app stores operated by major Chinese phone makers Huawei, Xiaomi Corp and Vivo as of Tuesday evening. It was still available on Apple Inc’s Chinese app store.

UC Browser was among several Chinese and foreign companies targeted for criticism for a range of issues on China Central Television’s popular two-hour prime time “315” show on Monday night.