Internet regulator announces campaign to safeguard rights of businesses

China's top internet regulator announced on Thursday the launch of a two-month special campaign aimed at cracking down on a range of online activities that infringe upon the legitimate rights of businesses, including malicious slander, defamation and extortion.

According to a notice released by the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, this nationwide campaign will urge websites and social media platforms to handle reports related to corporate online infringement more effectively, with a focus on safeguarding the legitimate online rights and interests of enterprises and entrepreneurs.

The initiative will target a series of illegal online activities, such as malicious slander and defamatory attacks on enterprises, it said.

That include attacking the quality of enterprise products, business conditions, fabricating false information to tarnish corporate reputations, and filing malicious complaints against companies.

Additionally, "online troll farms" would also be targeted. "Troll farms" are groups hired to post online comments, make purchases and manipulate public opinion to boost popularity or attack competitors.

They are usually used to publish negative information about enterprises or maliciously attack enterprises or entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, individuals or organizations aimed at extorting enterprises will be punished.

They usually demand money from companies to delete negative information they have posted. Besides, they also publish false or negative information about a company at critical times, such as during new product launches, listings or financing, to coerce companies into paying money.

Certain malicious marketing and hype activities are within the scope of the special campaign, such as those that undermine the development prospects of enterprises or industries.

The campaign will also address the distortion of publicly available corporate information or news reports, including shareholding structures and financial statements.

Activities that disrupt normal business operations, such as conducting live broadcasts or shooting short videos at business premises under the guise of rights protection, will also be prohibited.