What Changed
- Targeted four primary violations: livelihood health rumors, professional identity impersonation, AI deepfake rumors, and fake recovery marketing scams.
- Mandated strict qualification verification, credential disclosure, and source attribution for health and medical content accounts.
- Required internet platforms to strengthen AI deepfake detection and maintain official databases for identifying and debunking rumors.
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has deployed a special 'Qinglang' campaign targeting health and popular science rumors on the internet in mainland China. The operation focuses on four key areas: the fabrication of health rumors that mislead the public, the impersonation of health professionals and institutions, the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate fake health content, and the creation of false recovery stories to lure consumers into private-domain marketing fraud.
To enforce the campaign, cyberspace authorities are implementing three major regulatory measures. First, authorities will strictly investigate and penalize non-compliant accounts, enforce mandatory identity and qualification verification for medical science content creators, and require clear attribution of content sources. Second, internet platforms must prevent rumor content from appearing on recommendation lists and trending rankings, establish keyword and case databases for rumors, and actively push authoritative debunking notices via pop-ups and direct messaging. Third, platforms are required to upgrade AI technical controls to automate the detection and handling of AI-generated rumors, deepfake face and voice swapping, and fake professional personas.
Who May Be Affected
Internet platforms, online content creators, health and medical accounts, AI technology service providers, and health/supplement marketers in mainland China.
Cross-Border Context
Foreign companies, internet platforms, and health brands publishing content or marketing products to users in mainland China must comply with CAC credential verification requirements and AI content synthesis labeling rules.
What to check next
- Subsequent operational notices and specific compliance directives issued by local cyberspace administrations and internet platforms.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.