China’s top market regulator has fined a subsidiary of short-video giant Kuaishou Technology RMB 26.7 million($3.8 million) for a range of violations, reports Caixin, including inflating sales data and enabling the illegal trade of wildlife products.
The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) on Friday imposed the penalty on Chengdu Kuaigou Technology, a wholly owned e-commerce unit of Kuaishou, following an investigation that began in September 2025.
Investigators found that the platform allowed the sale of goods infringing on trademarks or posing safety risks, despite receiving notifications from rights holders. The company also imposed excessive and punitive fees on merchants and helped merchants and live streamers fabricate business data, the investigation revealed. The platform failed to properly vet advertisements for medical devices, health foods, and veterinary drugs, allowing claims of unauthorized efficacy. More seriously, it enabled the illegal sale of wildlife products, hunting tools, and related items without verifying the required permits.