China Tightens Online Live Broadcast Regulations Following 'Clubhouse' Ban

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Chinese authorities have decided to strengthen regulations on popular online real-time broadcasts following the recent blocking of 'Clubhouse.'

According to the website of the Cyberspace Administration of China on the 10th, seven regulatory authorities in China jointly issued guidelines on the 9th to strengthen normative management in response to issues such as inappropriate content in real-time broadcasts, sponsorship and marketing problems, and infringement of youth rights and interests.

The authorities prohibited hosts from broadcasting illegal content that harms national security or social stability and order, as well as obscene information.

They also stated that severe punishment will be imposed if broadcasts include content related to subversion of the state, religious extremism, ethnic separatism, terrorism, as well as obscenity, gambling, rumors, copyright infringement, and personal information violations.

Furthermore, they announced that "vulgar content, feudal superstitions, and illegal activities exploiting legal loopholes will be comprehensively rectified."

In China, access to the U.S.-based audio social networking service (SNS) 'Clubhouse,' where taboo issues such as 'Taiwan independence' were recently discussed, has been blocked.

Meanwhile, the new policy also includes measures to prevent viewers from giving excessive sponsorships during real-time broadcasts.

The authorities will classify real-time broadcasts by grade, limit the number of broadcasts per day and intervals, cap sponsorship amounts, and require platforms to alert users or delay sponsorships if excessive amounts are given.

Minors must have parental consent to create accounts for broadcasting or to provide sponsorships.

The authorities added that these measures aim to "implement core socialist values and promote the healthy and orderly development of the online live broadcast industry."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.