China's largest social platforms have agreed on an initiative that requires KOLs and KOCs in China with over 500,000 followers to register their personal information.
The initiative's focus is to tighten control over influencers who can publish materials and information that have not been approved by government censors, commonly known as the WeMedia network in China.
In recent years, China has stepped up its content controls on WeMedia in a major effort to “clean up” cyberspace. Social media platforms and messaging apps widely used in China, including WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, search giant Baidu, social e-commerce app Xiaohongshu, video service Bilibili, and more, have all issued separate announcements regarding the new controls.
The new measures will first apply to accounts with more than 1 million followers and then be gradually expanded. Those who do not comply with the rules will face strict restrictions on their access to social media accounts.
Former state media editor Hu Xijin has expressed support for the new initiative, arguing that social influencers need to be held accountable for their statements. Weibo head Wang Gaofei has assured the public that the change will not affect accounts with fewer than 500,000 followers. ByteDance, the company that owns Douyin, said it will not require anything more than the real names of account holders and that only verified accounts will have access to this personal information.
However, many Chinese social media users have expressed concerns about the decision, saying it could encourage doxxing and violate personal privacy. Doxxing is a term that refers to the disclosure of personal information about a person or organization, such as a home address or personal phone number.
(according to Securitylab)
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