China tech crackdown: authorities slap US$10 million fine on live-streamer for tax evasion amid continued scrutiny of popular online influencers

Live-streaming e-commerce host Ping Rong was held liable for tax irregularities in 2019 and 2020, according to tax authorities in southern Guangdong province

The action against the live-streamer showed that the campaign started by the State Taxation Administration last September continues to be pursued nationwide

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Ping Rong, a popular live-streaming e-commerce host on Kuaishou Technology’s short video-sharing platform, was fined for tax evasion by authorities in southern Guangdong province. Photo: Handout

Published: 10:00pm, 22 Feb 2022Updated: 4:29pm, 23 Feb 2022

Tax authorities in southern Guangdong province have slapped live-streaming star Ping Rong with a 62 million yuan (US$10 million) fine for tax evasion, making her the latest Chinese online influencer to be charged with the offence over the past several months.

A popular live-streamer on Kuaishou Technology’s short video-sharing platform, Ping was held liable for tax irregularities in 2019 and 2020, according to a statement on Tuesday by the Guangdong Provincial Tax Service, which is under the State Taxation Administration (STA).

The Guangdong tax service said the irregularities were discovered through big data analysis after Ping did not complete the “self-rectification” suggested by authorities. Ping’s live-streaming e-commerce account on Kuaishou became unsearchable soon after news of her fine was announced.

The provincial tax service said it “will continue to strengthen the analysis and application of big data” to help improve measures to supervise the live-streaming industry and crack down on illegal practices.

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Ping was in the spotlight last year for selling problem-plagued smartphones from Chinese brand Doov. Kuaishou later took down all the Doov handsets on its platform and promised compensation for consumers who bought these products. Payment of the compensation was split three ways between Kuaishou, Doov and the live-streamer.