Canalys berates IDC over new Chinese ownership

Canalys makes a sales pitch out of its rival's takeover, but IDC defends its independence

IDC has defended its independence and confidentiality after rival Canalys released a scathing video suggesting IDC's new Chinese owners could compromise its integrity.

Earlier this month, IDC parent IDG entered into an agreement with China Oceanwide for the Chinese conglomerate to snap up IDG and its subsidiaries, including IDC.

In a video which is doing the rounds on LinkedIn, and shared by Canalys CEO Steve Brazier, Canalys questions what impact a new Chinese owner would have on the firm's clients, and then advised them on how to ditch IDC and move to Canalys instead.

"American companies are being swallowed by the Chinese," says the video. "It is a trend that has extended to our market intelligence industry. How might this affect you? When you share confidential shipment data, can you trust what happens to it? Is there a risk that it could leak? Can you depend on information being held securely? Will you get an external, multinational view of the technology industry? Will you have a relationship you can trust for its independence? If you need to change from IDC quickly, check your contract for a break clause, especially for a mention of 'change of ownership'. Choose independence and switch to Canalys."

When contacted by CRN for comment, IDC strongly defended its position and plans post-takeover.

"IDC is 100 per cent committed to its independence and objectivity," said an IDC spokesperson. "Our position as the leader in technology market intelligence is a direct result of this objectivity. After the change in IDG ownership, IDC's highest priority will continue to be providing the industry's most accurate and objective market data, analysis and insights.

"China Oceanwide will not be involved in day-to-day management of IDC. In addition, at no time in the future will China Oceanwide and IDC's or IDG's IT systems be integrated per the binding agreement with the US government. No China Oceanwide employee will have access either to any of IDC's internal research, inquiry and consulting databases or information. Of course, all client information provided to IDC under NDAs will continue to be kept completely confidential by the relevant IDC analysts or consultants."