Alibaba Group

China
Cloud & Data Storage, Retailing, Software and Services

Corprate Bias Ratings

Risk Level:

Rating - Danger
High Risk

Note: This company is likely subject to the influence and control of the Chinese Communist Party, which actively censors speech and denies the freedoms we strive to protect. Therefore, 1792 Exchange urges extra caution when evaluating this vendor for business relationships. Alibaba, a Chinese e-commerce and technology company, has not terminated business relationships due to religious or political beliefs. It has used its corporate reputation to advance some ideological causes. Alibaba has not used its corporate funds to promote ideological agendas. However, the Chinese Communist Party and other Chinese governmental agencies have increased influence, control, and criticism of the company. Given the country's poor record on free speech and freedom of religion, Alibaba receives a "High Risk" rating.

Criteria
Risk Level
Rationale
Corporate Weaponization
Criteria

Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.

Risk Level
Rationale

Alibaba has not publicly terminated business relationships due to religious or political beliefs. However, the Chinese Communist Party has exercised influence and potential control of Alibaba through various actions such as fining the company over its choice of vendors and entering into deals to control more of the company (1)(2). After CEO Jack Ma criticized China’s monetary policy, he went missing without explanation for months (3). In 2023, Ma reduced his ownership in the company from over 50% to just over 6% (4).

Criteria

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level
Rationale

The Alibaba Foundation does not have any rules prohibiting cooperation with religious organizations (1)(2).

Criteria

Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.

Risk Level
Rationale

Alibaba does not protect employees from viewpoint discrimination (1)(2).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy
Criteria

Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Alibaba subsidiary Tmall has run ads with LGBT themes, winning them praise from LGBTQ organizations such as LoveMatters (1). Alibaba sells various Pride themed items at wholesale prices on its website (2).

Criteria

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

There are no publicly known cases of Alibaba donating to ideological groups hostile to freedom of expression.

Criteria

Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level
N/A
Rationale

Alibaba does not operate a PAC at this time.

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
August 22, 2023

Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer

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