LinkedIn Closes Service in China Amid 'Fierce Competition', Cuts Over 700 Jobs

Microsoft-owned LinkedIn was one of the few US technology companies to successfully operate a social media site in China.

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Social networking firm LinkedIn announced Tuesday that it will close down its last service available in China, citing "fierce competition and a challenging macroeconomic climate".

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Microsoft-owned LinkedIn was one of the few US technology companies to successfully operate a social media site in China, where the internet is heavily regulated and censored.

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The company had introduced a unique domestic version of the career networking platform operated locally in order to comply.

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In 2021, new sign-ups for the LinkedIn app in mainland China were suspended by the firm, which referenced a "significantly more challenging operating environment and greater compliance requirements in China".

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Microsoft then replaced it with a simplified version called InCareer, which allowed local professionals to continue to find and apply for jobs as well as stay connected with their network.

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"After careful consideration, we've made the decision to discontinue InCareer effective August 9, 2023," the platform said in a statement on Tuesday.

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