Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile7 entries
2023
CEO Chen Shaojie arrested on suspicion of running gambling operations, spotlighting DouYu's gambling governance
In November 2023, Chengdu police announced that DouYu CEO Chen Shaojie had been arrested on suspicion of operating gambling. Paid lotteries on the platform and gambling-related conduct by streamers drew public scrutiny. In 2024, media reported that he had been released on bail pending trial. This entry covers the arrest and subsequent compulsory measures; it does not treat the matter as a final effective criminal judgment.
2021
China prohibits Tencent's Douyu–Huya merger
Ban or restriction
In a regulatory review, China's State Administration for Market Regulation prohibited the proposed concentration between Douyu and Huya, two livestreaming platforms backed by Tencent. The authority concluded that the merger could strengthen Tencent's dominant position in the relevant market and restrict competition. The decision blocked the transaction, which had been advanced with Tencent's involvement. The review outcome was announced as a prohibition of the Douyu–Huya concentration, reflecting antitrust scrutiny of platform mergers in China.
Company response
Ongoing disclosure — Tencent
腾讯方面在回应《证券日报》记者时表示，公司将认真遵守审查决定，积极配合监管要求，依法合规经营，切实履行社会责任。
Source excerpt
根据《反垄断法》第二十八条和《经营者集中审查暂行规定》第三十五条规定，市场监管总局决定依法禁止此项经营者集中。
如虎牙与斗鱼合并，将使腾讯单独控制合并后实体，进一步强化腾讯在游戏直播市场的支配地位，同时使腾讯有能力和动机在上下游市场实施闭环管理和双向纵向封锁，具有或者可能具有排除、限制竞争效果
中共市場監管總局宣布，禁止騰訊申報的虎牙鬥魚合併。
2021
China prohibits Huya–Douyu merger
Ban or restriction
China's State Administration for Market Regulation prohibited the proposed merger of Huya and Douyu. The regulator found that the merger could further strengthen Tencent's dominant position in the game-livestreaming market and could have effects that exclude or restrict competition.
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation prohibited the proposed merger of Huya and Douyu, finding that it could further strengthen Tencent’s dominant position in the game-livestreaming market and could have effects that exclude or restrict competition.
Source excerpt
2021年1月4日，市场监管总局对腾讯控股有限公司（以下简称腾讯）申报的虎牙公司（以下简称虎牙）与斗鱼国际控股有限公司（以下简称斗鱼）合并案，依法进行经营者集中反垄断审查。
如虎牙与斗鱼合并，将使腾讯单独控制合并后实体，进一步强化腾讯在游戏直播市场的支配地位，同时使腾讯有能力和动机在上下游市场实施闭环管理和双向纵向封锁，具有或者可能具有排除、限制竞争效果，不利于市场公平竞争、可能减损消费者利益，也不利于网络游戏和游戏直播市场规范健康持续发展。
根据反垄断法第二十八条和《经营者集中审查暂行规定》第三十五条规定，市场监管总局决定依法禁止此项经营者集中。
2020
DouYu responds to food-waste concerns in livestreaming
Company response
DouYu was among the Chinese livestreaming platforms that described platform measures in response to reports of food waste in livestreams. DouYu said it would strengthen review of food-related livestream content. The response was reported alongside statements from Douyin and Kuaishou, which respectively described penalties for food-wasting behavior and possible removal of works, shutdown of livestreams or account bans for specified behaviors.
Douyin, Kuaishou and Douyu described platform measures in response to reports of food waste in livestreams. Douyin said it would penalize food-wasting behavior and added search prompts; Kuaishou said it would remove works, shut down livestreams or ban accounts for specified behaviors; Douyu said it would strengthen review of food-related livestream content.
Stated objective. Douyin said the search prompts call on users to cherish food; Kuaishou said it opposes catering waste and advocates thrift; Douyu said it aimed to prevent catering waste and create a healthy livestreaming environment.
Company response
Clarification — 抖音
针对“大胃王吃播浪费严重”的报道，抖音方面回应称，对浪费粮食的行为，一经发现，平台将在第一时间按违规程度进行处罚。
Remediation — 抖音
抖音已关注到网上舆情，并将客户端搜索设置里的“吃播”、“大胃王”等关键词的检索内容进行了“拒绝浪费，合理饮食”的提示，呼吁用户珍惜粮食。
Clarification — 快手
此外，快手方面回应称，一旦发现用户创作中有暴饮暴食，以假吃、催吐、宣扬量大多吃等方式博眼球的行为，将根据情节严重程度，给予删除作品、关停直播、封禁账号等处罚
Clarification — 斗鱼
同在昨日晚间，斗鱼方面回应称，将积极响应中央相关号召，加强对之后的美食类直播内容审核，杜绝餐饮浪费行为，共创风清气朗的直播氛围。
Source excerpt
昨日晚间，针对“大胃王吃播浪费严重”的报道，抖音方面回应称，对浪费粮食的行为，一经发现，平台将在第一时间按违规程度进行处罚。
昨日早些时候，央视新闻报道称，现在有些所谓大胃王吃播秀，存在浪费粮食的行为，有的甚至吃了再把食物吐掉。
同在昨日晚间，斗鱼方面回应称，将积极响应中央相关号召，加强对之后的美食类直播内容审核，杜绝餐饮浪费行为，共创风清气朗的直播氛围。
2020
DouYu apologizes to Huya over misleading claims
Company response
DouYu issued an apology after reposting and publishing articles that it described as false and misleading, which portrayed Huya as engaging in so-called black PR. According to DouYu, a court found that this conduct constituted unfair competition. The apology concerned the dissemination of these articles to the public. DouYu stated that the articles were false and misleading and that it had apologized for reposting and publishing them.
Douyu apologized for reposting and publishing articles it described as false and misleading, which portrayed Huya as engaging in so-called black PR. Douyu said the conduct had been found by a court to constitute unfair competition.
Company response
Apology — 斗鱼
9月21日，斗鱼在 微博发布致歉声明称
Source excerpt
斗鱼（Nasdaq：DOYU）为转发攻击虎牙（Nasdaq：HUYA）文章等行为道歉了。
斗鱼坦言，斗鱼的行为已被法院认定构成不正当竞争。
并向公众传播“虎牙公司是所谓黑公关”的虚假、误导性信息。
2020
Chinese regulator reviews Huya–Douyu merger filing
Investigation
In December 2020, China's State Administration for Market Regulation stated that it was reviewing the concentration filing involving Guangzhou Huya Technology and Wuhan Douyu Fish-Enjoy Network Technology in accordance with the law. The regulator's statement concerned the merger filing between the two companies and did not announce a conclusion or outcome at that time.
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said it was reviewing the concentration filing involving Guangzhou Huya Technology and Wuhan Douyu Fish-Enjoy Network Technology under the law.
Source excerpt
正在依法审查广州虎牙科技有限公司与武汉斗鱼鱼乐网络科技有限公司合并等涉及协议控制架构的经营者集中申报案件。
2020
Chinese regulator orders measures against platforms over minors' online-learning content
Ban or restriction
China's Cyberspace Administration announced that it had named Douyu, Sina Weibo, Baidu Tieba and other platforms for pushing content unrelated to learning in their education sections or platforms. It imposed measures including interviews, orders to rectify within a time limit, suspension of functions and takedowns.
Stated objective. To combat illegal and non-compliant conduct that harms minors' legitimate rights and physical and mental health.
Source excerpt
10月14日，国家网信办公布2020“清朗”专项行动暨网课平台专项整治依法查处第三批存在问题网站，斗鱼直播、新浪微博、百度贴吧等多个网站和APP因其学习栏目推送与学习无关内容被点名。
针对上述网站平台存在的突出问题，国家网信办视违规情节和问题性质，依法分别采取约谈、责令限期整改、停止相关功能、全面下架等处罚措施，坚决打击损害未成年人合法权益和身心健康的违法违规行为。