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China takes down Duolingo, Memrise, and other foreign language learning apps

50 points by howling 5y ago

rexyg 5y ago
Any context for why?
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- MisterSandman 5y ago
  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.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- 0cVlTeIATBs 5y ago
  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.
- sudosysgen 5y ago
  Only non-profit tutoring companies are now legal.
- aaron695 5y ago
  Here is why - http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2021-07/24/content_5627132.htm http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2021-07/24/content_5627132.htm
hnskrall 5y ago
China showing just how ahead of the curve they really are. I really wish they would have the gall to try some of this here, but the ruling party is owned by big money (the Jews, really) and any of this happening would go against their interests. So we are saddled with a decrepit, slowly degrading way of life while on the other side of the globe someone with some sensibility has found a way to put words into actions. Last week they called games something to tune of “mental opioids.” Can you imagine Steam and even Netflix being banned here if it was found it has a net negative result on society? Yeah fucking right they would. Kudos, I hope this turns out to be a positive long term change for them.
nowherebeen 5y ago
How large was the market for Duolingo?
- yorwba 5y ago
  15 million users in August 2020, according to https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/205173960 https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/205173960
Markoff 5y ago
I wonder when they will start clamping down on people wearing glasses and evacuate cities.

50 points by howling 5y ago

rexyg 5y ago

Any context for why?

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
MisterSandman 5y ago
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.
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
0cVlTeIATBs 5y ago
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.
sudosysgen 5y ago
Only non-profit tutoring companies are now legal.
aaron695 5y ago
Here is why - http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2021-07/24/content_5627132.htm http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2021-07/24/content_5627132.htm

hnskrall 5y ago

China showing just how ahead of the curve they really are. I really wish they would have the gall to try some of this here, but the ruling party is owned by big money (the Jews, really) and any of this happening would go against their interests. So we are saddled with a decrepit, slowly degrading way of life while on the other side of the globe someone with some sensibility has found a way to put words into actions. Last week they called games something to tune of “mental opioids.” Can you imagine Steam and even Netflix being banned here if it was found it has a net negative result on society? Yeah fucking right they would. Kudos, I hope this turns out to be a positive long term change for them.

nowherebeen 5y ago

How large was the market for Duolingo?

yorwba 5y ago
15 million users in August 2020, according to https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/205173960 https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/205173960

Markoff 5y ago

I wonder when they will start clamping down on people wearing glasses and evacuate cities.