Alibaba, ByteDance share details of prized algorithms with Beijing for first time

The Internet watchdog on Aug 12 published a list describing 30 algorithms that firms including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Tencent employ to gather data on users, tailor personal recommendations and serve up content. While the public list stopped short of revealing the actual code, it wasn’t clear the extent to which Internet firms may have revealed their underlying software to regulators in private. — AFP

China’s Internet giants from Tencent Holdings Ltd to ByteDance Ltd have shared details of their prized algorithms with Beijing for the first time, an unprecedented move aimed at curbing data abuse that may end up compromising closely guarded corporate secrets.

The Internet watchdog on Aug 12 published a list describing 30 algorithms that firms including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Meituan employ to gather data on users, tailor personal recommendations and serve up content. While the public list stopped short of revealing the actual code, it wasn’t clear the extent to which Internet firms may have revealed their underlying software to regulators in private.