China takes down Duolingo, Memrise, and other foreign language learning apps(scmp.com)
scmp.com
China takes down Duolingo, Memrise, and other foreign language learning apps
https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3144070/beijings-education-crackdown-hits-duolingo-memrise-language-learning
11 comments
I wonder when they will start clamping down on people wearing glasses and evacuate cities.
Any context for why?
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In the article: "However, one specific requirement in China’s latest policy shift regarding private education is that teachers based in overseas countries are “strictly banned” from teaching to students in China."
China seems to be cracking down on international Edtech services, and these apps are collateral damage. As the article mentions, Duolingo isn't a human-taught service, so banning it feels a bit weird. But I supposed that the purpose of the ban is to reduce western influence in Chinese Education, so the authorities don't really care.
China seems to be cracking down on international Edtech services, and these apps are collateral damage. As the article mentions, Duolingo isn't a human-taught service, so banning it feels a bit weird. But I supposed that the purpose of the ban is to reduce western influence in Chinese Education, so the authorities don't really care.
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China recently ordered that only non-profit tutoring services will be allowed. i.e. they are banning for-profit tutoring. This appears related to that ruling. One might argue that if foreign companies suffer more from the fallout that that is by design.
Only non-profit tutoring companies are now legal.
How large was the market for Duolingo?
15 million users in August 2020, according to https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/205173960