China expands social media crackdown to include Weibo and Kuaishou

Chinese cyberspace authority has pledged to impose "disciplinary and punitive measures" on popular apps Weibo and Kuaishou for promoting celebrity news and "undesirable" content, as part of an ongoing crackdown on social media platforms.

According to a statement, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said the two apps had failed to fulfill their responsibilities for managing information content. The platform's main hot search list was reportedly dominated by negative content, including the hype of celebrity personal affairs and trivial topics, reflecting a trend toward excessive entertainment.

The CAC accused Weibo of "undermining the online ecosystem" and criticised Kuaishou for fueling the widespread circulation of celebrity content considered "frivolous."

As a result, the CAC instructed the Beijing Cyberspace Administration to take actions against Kuaishou in accordance with the Regulations on the Ecological Governance of Network Information Content and other relevant laws. These actions include official interviews, orders to make corrections within a specified timeframe, formal warnings, and strict punishment of those held accountable.

"A clear and healthy cyberspace is in the interests of the people. The authorities will continue to focus on prominent violations of laws and regulations that undermine the online ecosystem, leverage the sharp power of cyber law enforcement, and urge websites and platforms to fulfill their primary and social responsibilities, effectively maintaining a clear and healthy cyberspace," added the statement.

However, the details of the punishments have not been disclosed. 

In response, Weibo told Chinese media such as Hong Kong Commercial Daily that Weibo will deeply reflect on shortcomings in its trending search mechanism, list management rules, and ecosystem governance system.

"Building on existing trending search list management rules and a complaint mechanism for trending search terms, we will further enhance our comprehensive management capabilities across all links. At the same time, adhering to the principles of openness, transparency, and accountability, we will continue to optimise and upgrade Weibo's trending search algorithm, continuously strengthening the public nature and value orientation of trending search lists."

Meanwhile, Kuaishou said it immediately established a special rectification team to promote ecological governance around the trending search list and continuously improve the standardisation and diversity of the list content.

This comes following The Chinese cyberspace authority has summoned and penalised Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, over its “trivial” and “negative” content that allegedly "harms" the online ecosystem.

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) (國家網信辦) said in a statement that Xiaohongshu failed to fulfill its responsibilities for managing information content, as its hot search list prominently featured several entries related to sensationalised personal updates and other undesirable information, which harmed the online ecosystem.

The authority has taken action against Xiaohongshu, issuing a regulatory talk and an order for rectification in accordance with the “Provisions on the Ecological Governance of Network Information Content” (網路資訊內容生態治理規定) and other relevant regulations.

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