Chinese Regulator Slams ByteDance App for AI Content Labeling Violations

Chinese cyber authorities reprimanded ByteDance's app (photo: x @BridgingNews_)

JAKARTA - Chinese cyber authorities have warned a number of applications and websites owned by ByteDance for failing to comply with the rules for labeling artificial intelligence-generated content.

In an official statement on Tuesday, April 28, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said that the video editing apps Jianying, Maoxiang, and the Jimeng AI website did not effectively carry out AI content identification measures. The violations were said to be in violation of Chinese cybersecurity laws and other related regulations.

China Tightens AI Surveillance

Authorities said the parties concerned had been summoned, ordered to make improvements, given warnings, and sanctioned. However, the regulator did not detail the form of punishment imposed.

The statement confirms that all digital platforms are required to comply with legal provisions regarding the labeling of AI-based content.

The regulator also emphasized that supervision would continue to be strengthened in order to protect the public interest while ensuring the healthy and orderly development of the AI industry. This step confirms China's position as one of the countries with the strictest AI regulatory approach in the world.

Rules Apply Since September 2025

China issued official provisions on the labeling of AI content in March 2025. The rules came into effect in September of the same year.

The regulation requires platforms to clearly mark material generated or modified by AI so that users can distinguish between human and machine content. The goal is not only to prevent disinformation, but also to build transparency in the digital ecosystem.

In that context, the failure of major platforms such as ByteDance to enforce rules is seen as a threat to the credibility of public information.

A Clear Signal for the Technology Industry

This case is a strong message for technology companies, especially those in the field of generative AI. The era of free experimentation is beginning to shift towards the era of accountability.

For China, AI is not just an economic opportunity, but also a strategic area that must be closely monitored for social stability and information control.

With the increasing ability of AI to create realistic text, images, and videos, the labeling obligation is now a key instrument for maintaining the boundary between reality and digital engineering.

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