China launches crackdown on illegal livestreaming platforms

BEIJING -- Chinese authorities on Friday launched a half-year campaign to crack down on illegal livestreaming platforms.

The Cyberspace Administration of China, the National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications and six other department co-launched the campaign to standardize the industry.

A total of 44 illicit platforms that spread obscene and vulgar content have already received punishments ranging from official warnings to the termination of their platforms.

A number of other livestreaming platforms with vulgar content have also received administrative penalties.

Apart from the crackdown, the authorities will work on issuing management rules and policies for the high-quality development of the livestreaming industry, and explore the implementation of management based on ratings and categories as well as rules for online rewards and advertising, in order to build a healthier and more positive environment for livestreaming, the authorities said.