China cracks down on online group livestreaming violations

The Cyberspace Administration of China has strengthened the management of online group livestreaming content, addressing more than 1,840 accounts involved in violations according to laws and platform rules, as announced by the administration on Monday.

Recently, the administration has launched a campaign to tackle irregularities in online group livestreaming entertainment, guiding and urging online platforms to enhance content management and curb violations.

The campaign has focused on issues such as illegal PK activities that encourage excessive tipping, improper practices designed to induce viewers to give rewards, vulgar and harmful content, and violations of minors' rights.

In a statement, the administration said that over 1,840 accounts involved in illegal online group livestreaming activities had been dealt with in accordance with laws and platform regulations.

The administration also released details of typical cases and the accounts involved. Several accounts faced speech restrictions or temporary bans on livestreaming privileges after group members were found to have worn revealing clothing, frequently performed suggestive movements, presented vulgar content, or deliberately created suggestive or soft-pornographic atmospheres through their livestreaming settings.

According to the administration, a group livestreaming account involving minors was shut down, and the MCN (Multi-Channel Network) agencies behind it were removed from the platform. Other accounts were found to have induced viewers to give rewards by imitating minors' voices and livestreaming while wearing school uniforms, and these accounts were also subjected to temporary bans on livestreaming privileges.

Accounts that encouraged users to transfer money and send gifts through verbal prompts, or that induced tipping by encouraging followers to engage in offline contact, were subjected to measures including speech restrictions or permanent bans on livestreaming privileges, the statement said.

Several accounts were found to have manipulated group members during PK sessions to carry out vulgar and offensive punishments involving personal insults in an effort to induce viewers to give rewards. They were subjected to measures including temporary bans on livestreaming privileges or traffic restrictions.