Pony Ma

Pony Ma publicly praised the ability of big data and technology to improve the effectiveness of public security. In a context where major Chinese platforms are integrated into state surveillance systems, these statements fuelled criticism of the closeness between Tencent and the security apparatus.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Pony Ma reposted an article on WeChat denouncing the economic cost of lockdowns and lack of candour in public debate. The gesture attracted considerable attention because leading Chinese technology executives usually avoid openly criticising economic policy.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Directly implicated

During an internal meeting, Pony Ma sharply criticised executives for mismanagement, waste and corruption, warning that certain activities could be eliminated. The remarks exposed the scale of internal governance tensions following years of rapid growth and tighter regulation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

China's competition authority ordered Tencent to abandon exclusive music rights agreements, finding that the company held a very large market share and that these practices restricted competition.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Pony Ma met officials from China's competition authority as Beijing intensified scrutiny of Tencent's practices, notably acquisitions, competition and financial activities.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Research by Citizen Lab documented censorship of politically sensitive topics on WeChat and showed that files and images sent between non-Chinese accounts could be monitored to support the censorship system applied to Chinese accounts.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Citizen Lab documented WeChat's censorship of hundreds of keyword combinations relating to COVID-19, including critical references to authorities and information about Dr Li Wenliang, during the outbreak's early weeks.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

The enormous success of Honour of Kings triggered a national controversy over children's video game addiction. A Communist Party-linked media outlet attacked the game using 'poison' rhetoric, and Tencent announced daily limits for minors.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility