China takes down Duolingo, Memrise, and other foreign language learning apps (opens in new tab)

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 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.

Here is why - http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2021-07/24/content_5627132.htm

Only non-profit tutoring companies are now legal.

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