China Asks Streaming Platforms To Stop Users Paying Money To Content Creators

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - China has started asking internet platforms operating in its country to make policies on how children under 18 use their streaming services.

In this case, all platforms must increase controls to stop the practice of underage users tipping content creators, or becoming content creators without parental consent.

This was conveyed directly by China's National Radio Television Administration, which also said the platform needed to strengthen time management to limit the viewing of minors.

In addition, content in the live streaming category must be forcibly turned off by 10 p.m. local time. This rule only applies to users of their parental control teen mode.

Citing Reuters, May 8, the order comes after China last month launched a special two-month campaign to clean up chaos in its online live streaming and short video business.

Among other things, the campaign focuses on fixing pornographic, inappropriate, strange, fake, vulgar, and (promoting) gambling content.

It targeted Multi-Channel Network (MCN) companies, short video apps, and live streaming tips, while accounts publishing illegal content would also be targeted.

The addition of MCN to the clean-up campaign highlights cyber authorities' growing concerns with the companies behind much of the viral content seen on Chinese social media.

Among the country's most prominent live streaming platforms are ByteDance's Douyin (China's version of TikTok), Kuaishou, Alibaba's Bilibili, as well as Huya (HUYA.N) and Douyu, both of which are backed by Tencent Holdings.