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Baidu put under the microscope for selling forum access to health businesses

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By Charlotte McEleny, Asia Editor

January 18, 2016 | 2 min read

Chinese internet giant Baidu has come under scrutiny from 36 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) after it emerged that it had been selling access to forum posts on Tieba to commercial organisations and hospitals.

According to reports, the 36 NGOs signed a letter that was sent to the Beijing Administration for Industry and Commerce to take action on Baidu because its misconduct violates advertising laws.

According to English language Chinese news site Global Times, it was members of a hemophilia forum that first lodged complaints that a private hospital had been promoting itself on the forum, and removing mentions of competitors, after being sold admin access. It then emerged that other forums were finding similar activity.

Baidu has released a statement and is reportedly now in conversation with 23 of the 36 NGOs about the issue.

Baidu said: "the supervision of disease-related forums' operation is particularly important" and it added that it “will only be open to authoritative public service organizations rather than to those seeking business opportunities."

Global Times reported from a press conference held by the health ministry late last week. According to the report, Mao Qun'an, a spokesman with the health ministry, said: "We have asked Baidu about the incident. We hope Baidu can make Tieba a platform which could offer accurate information on diagnosis, treatment and recovery of diseases.”

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