Antitrust regulator SAMR is now the sheriff of China’s Big Tech after Alibaba fine, analysts say

The State Administration of Market Regulation was formed just three years ago. The government agency has become one of the most powerful forces in China’s crackdown on Internet giants. — SCMP

The power of the State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR), the regulator in charge of “market order” in China, appears to be growing after its record US$2.8bil (RM11.56bil) fine on Alibaba Group Holding and warning to 34 of the country’s Internet platforms to improve their conduct, analysts say.

SAMR, which was established three years ago as part of a broad government restructuring, was relatively absent from regulation of Big Tech in China until the end of 2020, when Beijing decided to ramp up anti-monopoly measures to rein in the country’s fast-growing internet platforms.