In a major move to fight online misinformation, China has introduced strict new rules for social media influencers. The core message is simple: if you want to discuss professional topics online, you must now prove you are qualified to do so.
The new regulations state that anyone creating content about specialized fields like medicine, finance, law, and education must have a relevant university degree or a verified professional certificate. This means an influencer without a medical degree can no longer give health advice, and someone without a finance background cannot offer investment tips.
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Major platforms like Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), Weibo, and Bilibili are now responsible for checking and verifying the credentials of their content creators.
The penalties for breaking these rules are severe. Influencers who discuss these topics without the right qualifications risk having their accounts suspended or permanently closed. They could also face fines of up to 100,000 yuan (approximately $14,000).
This crackdown is a clear effort by the Chinese government to clean up the vast amount of information online, improve the quality of public discussion on critical issues, and protect citizens from potentially dangerous misinformation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which topics now require a verified degree?
The rules specifically target specialized fields including medicine, finance, law, and education.
2. Who is responsible for checking an influencer’s qualifications?
The social media platforms themselves, such as Douyin and Weibo, are now legally required to verify the professional credentials of their content creators.
3. What happens if an influencer breaks the rules?
They face serious consequences, including having their social media account suspended or deleted, and can be fined up to 100,000 Chinese Yuan (about $14,000).
4. Can influencers still talk about non-professional topics?
Yes. The rules only apply to content that discusses specialized, professional fields. Lifestyle, entertainment, and other general topics are not affected.
5. What is the main goal of this new policy?
The primary goals are to combat misinformation, ensure the public is getting advice from qualified individuals, and raise the overall quality and reliability of information on sensitive and important subjects.
