Watchdog sues Guangzhou shared-bike operator over refunds

A consumer watchdog in Guangzhou is suing a shared-bike company over delays in refunding users’ deposits and accounting irregularities.

The Guangdong Consumer Council has filed the lawsuit to demand Yueqi Information Technology Co, the company behind Xiaoming bikes, refund customers more quickly and increase transparency.

It is believed to be the first public-interest litigation involving shared bikes.

“The defendant has violated consumer rights laws and regulations ... by refusing to disclose how it manages deposits,” the council said on Monday.

It said it has received more than 30,000 complaints about delayed refunds and poor management of Yueqi’s deposit account since August.

Yueqi declined to comment when contacted by China Daily.

Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court has accepted the case and will schedule a public hearing.