Chinese state TV to take aim at the internet industry for Consumer Rights Day

This upcoming Sunday, March 15, is World Consumer Rights Day. That’s not a holiday most people outside China celebrate or are even aware of. But in China, the day does have some meaning, and every year it’s marked with a special report on China’s state-run television network CCTV that digs into the scandalous, anti-consumer practices of local companies. This year, according to China’s The Mirror, China’s internet will be the focal point of CCTV’s investigations, which means Chinese internet companies will be in the crossfire.

Which companies specifically are in hot water remains unknown. CCTV maintains a high level of secrecy before the hotly-anticipated program is broadcast every year on the 15th. But some of this year’s report’s producers told The Mirror that evidence was gathered via services like Weibo and WeChat. And CCTV has released a few consumer warnings as a kind of preview. These warnings don’t name specific companies, but they do suggest that 4G service and online P2P lending services will be specific targets of the program. That means that at least one of China’s three major telecom companies is probably in for a rough ride, and some of the country’s P2P lending startups may be too.

This year won’t be the first time CCTV takes aim at the tech industry. 2013’s World Consumer Rights Day program blasted Apple for apparent bias against Chinese customers, as well as return and repair practices that allegedly violated Chinese regulations. That program caused such anger that Apple was eventually forced to issue an apology.

Domestic tech companies like Baidu and Netease have also found themselves in CCTV’s firing line in previous years, and the fallout caused by the program can be significant. Until Sunday night, China’s tech companies will likely be bracing for impact, and hoping that their firm can make it through the show without warranting a mention.

(Source: The Mirror)