Tencent

Tencent has integrated numerous accessibility features in its core social network product, Mobile QQ. It also supports a number of initiatives for using artificial intelligence technologies to improve accessibility.

No evidence was found of leading practices in this area.

Tencent has a privacy guide that explicitly mentions the measures it takes to facilitate healthy access to the internet for minors. This includes identity verification, payment notification and an online consultation system.

The company demonstrates its commitment to open standards through its membership of international standard-setting organisations, and participation in standards organisations in China. The company has started open source projects based on its own products and contributed to major international projects such as Linux, OpenStack and KVM.

While Tencent has initiatives for people with disabilities, but it could increase its contribution to digital inclusion by supporting initiatives for digital opportunities aimed at women and girls. It could also support universal digital access consistent with net neutrality principles. The company could also increase transparency by clearly disclosing how the economic value it creates is distributed among its stakeholders.

The company does not have relevant basic and intermediate digital skills development programmes. Tencent’s enormous reach in its home country means it could have a significant impact if it offered targeted initiatives to develop digital competencies among vulnerable groups.

Evidence could not be found of high-level responsibility for cybersecurity. While Tencent does have a Computer Emergency Response Team and international information security certification, it does not report on the number of data breaches. Additionally, while it uses innovative technology to monitor child online safety, some of its measures, such as face and voice recognition, raise privacy concerns.

Tencent does not report on whether it considers ethics in its research and development (R&D) activities. In addition, it does not report the gender-breakdown of staff members, and could improve transparency to identify how it contributes to inclusive digital innovation. Additionally, Tencent does not reveal the locations of its R&D facilities.