Chinese Internet Regulators Target Social Media Use

Instant-messaging apps, video streaming and other new content platforms in China will face closer scrutiny under new rules issued by the country’s internet regulators. In a statement Oct 30, the Cyberspace Administration of China said messaging apps and other new forms of information dissemination can be used to engage in illegal behavior. The administration said that operators of such platforms will soon be required to conduct extensive reviews to ensure they aren’t used to spread illegal content The agency said the new technologies “can be used by criminals to spread illegal information and undertake criminal activity, harming the lawful interests of citizens, legal persons and other organizations,” in a statement announcing the rules In a separate announcement, the regulator introduced new rules governing “internet content managers”—code for online censors—that require them to undergo 40 hours of government training over a period of three years to ensure that they are promoting socialist values. Both policies go into force on Dec. 1.