Top court highlights rule of law in cyberspace with 4 cases

China's top court unveiled details of four significant cases on Wednesday, highlighting the judiciary's commitment to addressing online illegal activities, resolving internet-related disputes, protecting people's legal rights, maintaining order in cyberspace and fostering the healthy development of the digital economy.

The cases cover a range of issues, including the use of injunctions to protect personal rights against online violence, determining the liability of livestream hosts who infringe on others' personality rights, assessing the responsibility of search engine service providers, and the conviction and sentencing of those offering technical support for cross-border gambling.

The disclosure coincided with this year's Cybersecurity Week, which runs from Monday to Sunday. The Supreme People's Court called on courts nationwide to enhance the quality and efficiency of adjudicating internet-related cases, emphasizing the need for research on the rule of law in cyberspace based on judicial practice to ensure strict and impartial justice.

The top court stressed that governing cyberspace is crucial for national development and security, as well as for safeguarding the public's immediate interests. It noted that central leadership has repeatedly emphasized the importance of improving long-term mechanisms for cyberspace governance and fostering a clean and upright online environment.

"The rule of law in cyberspace is a vital safeguard for building a cyber power, and judicial adjudication is a key component of implementing the rule of law online," the court stated.

In recent years, courts across China have adopted a people-centered approach in handling cases, with intensified efforts to combat telecom fraud and cyberbullying and address new types of cases involving artificial intelligence, data rights and online virtual property.

The top court added that these efforts aim to effectively protect the legal rights and interests of all entities in cyberspace, contribute to comprehensive governance for a secure online environment, and improve the ability to prevent and resolve online disputes, thereby enhancing the rule of law in cyberspace.