In 2019, when LinkedIn began asking for Chinese users’ phone numbers, it was clear that the professional social network would have to follow a different set of rules in the country. But it realized simply setting up the real-name verification regime required by Chinese authorities wasn’t enough; it faced a mounting task of balancing censorship demand and upholding its “Western value” that extols freedom of expression.
The solution was to retreat. This past October, Microsoft announced it would bring an end to LinkedIn’s Chinese version — which still functioned largely the same as the “global” one barring, extra requirements like cell number verification. On December 13, Microsoft introduced a LinkedIn alternative called InCareer on China’s App Store and third-party Android stores. Focusing on jobs, the new app bears the facade of LinkedIn but lacks its social feed and content posting option, which …
