China takes down Duolingo, Memrise, and other foreign language learning apps

Any context for why?

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.

China showing just how ahead of the curve they really are. I really wish they would have the gall to try some of this here, but the ruling party is owned by big money (the Jews, really) and any of this happening would go against their interests. So we are saddled with a decrepit, slowly degrading way of life while on the other side of the globe someone with some sensibility has found a way to put words into actions.

Last week they called games something to tune of “mental opioids.” Can you imagine Steam and even Netflix being banned here if it was found it has a net negative result on society? Yeah fucking right they would.

Kudos, I hope this turns out to be a positive long term change for them.

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