Increased Chinese Regulatory Scrutiny Online

18-03-2022

Marc Luetz

China Human Rights Researcher 

Global Human Rights Defence

In recent developments surrounding the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), there has been a critical increase in the regulatory scrutiny of internet and media platforms. Concretely the Cyberspace Administration of China has incited an aggressive campaign aimed at reviewing and removing content deemed inappropriate or damaging towards the state. This has been paralleled in the recent visit of senior CAC officials to major Chinese internet and media companies such as Alibaba Group Holding, Tencent Holdings and Baidu amongst others. 

These meetings were aimed at creating strong mechanisms and rules aimed at content reviews and staff training aimed at ensuring rectifying and moderating online platforms. With the increased regulatory scrutiny of internet platforms, there exists an increasing fear of a restrictive online environment in an already repressive climate. To this extent, the CAC under government guidelines has ‘urged’ the aforementioned companies to promote and facilitate ideological, cultural and moral standards and behavior. 

Furthermore, aside from promoting specific behavior and values in alignment with the politburo in Beijing, Chinese media companies and groups are expected to implement and in certain cases develop content review teams and automated programs. The invasiveness of the CAC is reflective of the larger movement of recent developments to further tighten their control and influence over the Chinese sphere of the internet behind the great firewall. Manipulative tools such as algorithms direct users towards websites and platforms in alignment with the government's position. China’s stance towards the internet as a space that does not transcend law enforcement and rather should be regulated in accordance with law is an embodiment of their zero-tolerance policy towards the inciting of dissent and violence through online platforms. 

The increased systematic approach of the Chinese government through agencies such as the CAC towards censoring and controlling the internet is a detriment and increasing danger to the rights of individual citizens. This coupled with the government's recent blatant and explicit censorship during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and the ongoing controversial developments of the National Security Law in Hong Kong paints a bleak and increasing restrictive environment for the freedom of speech in the region. 

Sources and further reading:

Deng, I., & Qu, T. (2022, March 12). China's internet watchdog intensifies scrutiny of online content in 2022. South China Morning Post. Retrieved March 18, 2022, from https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3170153/chinas-internet-watchdog-pushes-deeper-engagement-internet-platforms?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article&campaign=3170153