NetEase controversies

Criminal cases opened against multiple gaming executives and employees over suspected corruption

On November 8, 2024, NetEase announced that several former heads of its gaming business and employees were suspected of fraud and corruption during their employment, had criminal cases opened against them by public security authorities, and were subjected to criminal coercive measures; 27 external companies were placed on a non-cooperation list. The announcement did not provide a court conviction or a finding on the amount involved as circulated online.

Valorant-related copyright lawsuit

Riot Games sued NetEase over alleged copyright infringement concerning similarities between a NetEase game and Valorant.

Sick employee's departure handling triggers dispute over layoff method and compensation

In November 2019, a sick employee publicly questioned the way NetEase terminated the employment relationship, triggering public debate. NetEase admitted that the communication and handling were crude and unsympathetic and apologized; on November 29, media reported that the two sides had reached a settlement. The company subsequently announced accountability measures and improvement arrangements, and did not treat the amount initially demanded in arbitration as the final compensation amount.

NetEase responds to employee layoff dispute with corrective measures

Company response

NetEase apologized to a former employee involved in a layoff dispute, said it would assist with treatment, and announced disciplinary actions against five employees and changes to internal employee-care and feedback mechanisms. The employee said the parties had reached a reconciliation.

Stated objective. 协助这位同事寻求妥善的治疗方案，帮助他渡过难关

NetEase apologized over its handling of a former employee’s dismissal

Company response

NetEase acknowledged that its handling and communication with a former employee were in some respects insensitive and overly blunt, and apologized to the former employee, his family, affected colleagues and the public. The former employee had alleged unfair treatment during his dismissal, including being forcibly removed by security guards.

NetEase faces employee allegations of coercive treatment

Issue disclosure

An employee alleged that NetEase pressured, monitored and threatened him and that security guards forced him out of the company. The article also reports that NetEase maintained it had not conducted layoffs and characterized departures as normal staff turnover; the supplied text does not establish a determination of the employee's allegations.

NetEase responds to former employee’s allegations by forming a review team

Company response

After a former employee publicly alleged unfair treatment, including being forced out of the company, NetEase said it had arranged a special group at the corporate level to understand and verify the matter. The allegations are reported as claims, not as established findings.

NetEase faces backlash over employee layoff

Public backlash

An essay written from the perspective of an affected employee criticized NetEase over a layoff, including an allegation that security guards forced a seriously ill employee out of the company; the article says the episode drew public attention to layoffs.

Sales-data reporting controversy

Questions about whether NetEase sales information had been misreported preceded the departure of several senior executives and the collapse of takeover discussions with i-Cable Communications.