'Deviant' content targeted on video platforms

The Cyberspace Administration of China is running a monthlong campaign targeting deviant and undesirable content on short-video platforms.

The campaign is aimed at strengthening the scrutiny and review processes for content posted on short-video platforms, such as Douyin and Xigua, and to standardizing the processes so that there is a healthy development of the industry, according to a notice issued by the CAC on Dec 5.

Another focus is rectifying the dissemination of false information. This includes creating and sharing staged videos with rumors related to the public, fabricating scenarios to exploit public sympathy for socially vulnerable groups, and scripting false situations at emergency scenes to spread panic.

Deepfake videos and acts of distorting authoritative information released by official sources will be subject to penalties.

Unacceptable behaviors in short videos, such as erotic or suggestive content, vulgarity, malicious marketing, and the display of risky behavior, are also subject to the campaign.

Online personalities who act in an uncivilized manner or act irrationally to influence their fans will be targeted. Those who publish marketing information for fake or substandard goods to mislead consumers will also face punishment.

Additionally, the operation addresses the dissemination of harmful information that induces mental and physical discomfort, including content promoting suicide, self-harm and animal abuse. Showcasing high-risk behaviors such as extreme aerial parkour and high-speed driving that disregard personal safety and pose a threat to life will be rectified.

Another focus of the operation is the use of short videos to spread erroneous concepts. This includes content intentionally violating ethnic customs, inciting ethnic hatred or regional discrimination, spreading false views on relationships, and deliberately creating gender opposition.

There have been cases in the provinces of Guangdong, Yunnan, Henan, Hubei and Qinghai where online personalities created false confrontations to boost their followers this year. Some even displayed knives during their live broadcasts.

In June, police in Huazhou, Guangdong, received a report about two groups of online personalities arranging a "confrontation" during a live broadcast. Subsequently, all 10 suspects were apprehended by the police who found the individuals were all under 22 years old and did not genuinely intend to fight, and everything was scripted.

The anchors said that they planned to stage a "fight for a girlfriend" and broadcast the arrangement for the fight on a short-video platform. They even planned to have a fake fight offline and make a livestream beforehand. All of them were given administrative detentions along with a fine.

The CAC has asked relevant cyberspace authorities to adhere to a problem-oriented approach, focusing on issues raised by the public in the short-video sector, with special attention to protecting the rights and interests of special groups such as minors and the elderly.

Authorities have been asked to carry out in-depth research on common content issues and platform-specific problems, and shut down and penalize short-video platforms and accounts with serious violations. Typical cases will be made public to prevent issues from resurfacing, it said.

yangzekun@chinadaily.com.cn