ByteDance, the world’s most valuable startup, told KrAsia on Wednesday that Tencent is upgrading its blocking measures against rival companies, and is now removing competitors from its Android app store, Yingyongbao. In particular, ByteDance’s video chat app Duoshan has been expelled from the store.
ByteDance added that the company is actively communicating with Tencent regarding the matter. When approached for a comment, Tencent declined to offer a statement.
Duoshan was launched on January 15th to tap the user base of the popular short video app Douyin, which is also a product developed by ByteDance. It is still available in other app stores.
Data compiled by the app analytics platform Sensor Tower shows that Duoshan saw more than 5 million downloads via Apple’s App Store up to February 20th.
Tencent’s WeChat has blocked links that allow users to download Duoshan, as well as two other social apps Matong and Liaotianbao, right after they were unveiled on the same day.
Liaotianbao dismantled its team in early March, while Matong has halted downloads of its app due to a server malfunction.