In a surprising public outburst, Zhong Shanshan, the second-wealthiest person in China and founder of the beverage company Nongfu Spring, called on Zhang Yiming, the founder of ByteDance, to apologize for the alleged role of Douyin—the Chinese version of TikTok—in spreading rumors and misinformation that have damaged Zhong’s reputation. Zhong’s remarks, made during a speech in Jiangxi province, are significant as they mark the first time a high-profile businessman has directly implicated social media platforms in fostering an online atmosphere harmful to their businesses.
Zhong’s grievances come in the wake of a targeted online campaign against his company, which began earlier this year due to nationalist sentiments surrounding its product packaging that some perceived to carry Japanese influences. This backlash incited consumer boycotts and elevated discussions regarding the accountability of social media and the broader implications of misinformation. Zhong specifically condemned Douyin and Toutiao, another ByteDance platform, emphasizing that they should not evade responsibility using the “safe harbour principle,” which allows online platforms to limit liability for user-generated content.
In his speech, Zhong urged Zhang, whom he characterized as the “actual controller” of ByteDance, to exercise business ethics, and demanded immediate action to remove harmful content that disparages him. This episode sheds light on the increasing scrutiny of how social media platforms manage the dissemination of information and the potential consequences for businesses and individuals affected by online attacks. Zhong has called for authoritative intervention, asking the Chinese government to ensure justice and transparency from these platforms, including a demand for ByteDance to reveal its content recommendation algorithm.
Zhong’s appeal for accountability comes as the Chinese government has signaled a commitment to protect private enterprises from online harassment while seeking to boost the private sector’s confidence amid economic challenges. The remarks are viewed against a backdrop of Zhong’s company, Nongfu Spring, experiencing a significant decline in sales, reportedly over 18% to 8.53 billion yuan (approximately US$1.18 billion) in the first half of the year, as a direct result of the negative online sentiment fueled by unfounded allegations.
Moreover, Zhong’s pointed remarks towards Zhang Yiming illustrate a growing urgency among business leaders in China to hold technology platforms to account for their role in the spread of misinformation, which they claim poses a significant threat to their businesses. This incident could mark a shift in how high-profile entrepreneurs confront the challenges posed by social media dynamics, paving the way for a potential reevaluation of the responsibilities that come with managing online content.
As this discourse unfolds, it becomes clear that the relationship between businesses and social media platforms is increasingly complex, especially in an era where misinformation can propagate rapidly, at times leading to tangible financial repercussions. Zhong’s demands not only personify the frustrations of entrepreneurs facing reputational harm through online channels but also underscore a larger conversation about the need for regulatory measures to ensure a safe and fair digital ecosystem for businesses in China and beyond.