LinkedIn just launched their Chinese version, which will have to contend with strict censorship issues and other complications. China actually has the world’s largest online community with over 618 million users. Users, however, can’t use Facebook or Twitter, and they are confronted with a Great Firewall that blocks online forums or sensitive materials.
The new LinkedIn allows users to post public comments, but no group discussions are allowed. As chief executive Jeff Weiner said, “As a condition for operating in the country, the government of China imposes censorship requirements on internet platforms.” He promised that “government restrictions on content will be implemented only when and to the extent required” and that it “will be transparent about how it conducts business in China”.
He continued, “LinkedIn strongly supports freedom of expression and fundamentally disagrees with government censorship. At the same time, we also believe that LinkedIn’s absence in China would deny Chinese professionals a means to connect with others on our global platform.”
The English-language version of LinkedIn has already been available in China and has four million users. Now, the Chinese version hopes to attract more than 140 million Chinese users.
According to the China Internet Network Information Center, China’s online population (defined as anyone who has used the internet at least once in the past six months) is the largest in the entire world. Time will tell how LinkedIn does in this location.