China’s Big Tech built some of the world’s most powerful algorithms. Beijing just exposed some closely-guarded details online

GRADY MCGREGOR

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Late last week, Chinese regulators publicly shared details on 30 algorithms that power some of the country’s most widely used apps and websites, an unprecedented measure that marks a new escalation in Beijing’s years-long campaign to rein in the power of big tech.

The list of algorithms included details on the underlying technology that power apps from China’s largest internet companies, including e-commerce firm Alibaba, social media company and TikTok-owner Bytedance, and delivery giant Meituan. The A.I.-driven recommendation algorithms are highly valuable trade secrets that have come to govern many parts of day-to-day life in China, determining what videos people watch, the products they buy, and food delivery workers' routes.