Microsoft to shut down LinkedIn in China due to a “more challenging operating environment”

Linkedin, a popular business and employment-oriented online portal purchased by Microsoft a few years ago has announced that it will shut down the platform in the country after seven years of operation.

Linkedin will be replaced in China by a new platform dedicated to the world of business called “InJobs”, but without social features, such as the ability to share articles or news in your feed.

The company cited a “more challenging operating environment” and “increased compliance requirements” among the reasons.

Linkedin began offering a localized version for the Chinese market in February 2014.

During this time, Linkedin had remained the only major Western social network allowed to operate in the country. China has previously banned numerous other Western social networks such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, which remain inaccessible to the Chinese public.

“While we’ve found success in helping Chinese members find jobs and economic opportunity, we have not found that same level of success in the more social aspects of sharing and staying informed,” LinkedIn said.

“We’re also facing a significantly more challenging operating environment and greater compliance requirements in China.”

According to Axios, last month LinkedIn had blocked from its Chinese platform the profiles of several U.S. journalists and academics which contained information China considers sensitive, citing “prohibited content”.