China Drafts Comprehensive Rules to Tackle Online Violence, Targeting AI-Generated Abuse

On July 29, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) released a draft regulation on governing online violence information, opening it for public comment. This move signifies a systematic upgrade in China's approach to cyberbullying, with a notable expansion of regulatory scope to cover content created by artificial intelligence.

Enhanced Platform Responsibilities: From Cleanup to Prevention

The draft imposes more concrete and stringent obligations on online platforms, shifting the focus from reactive takedowns to proactive protection and intervention.

  • Mandatory Detection Systems: Platforms are required to establish mechanisms for identifying and categorizing online violence content. This necessitates investment in technology to automatically detect abuse, defamation, and doxxing.
  • "One-Click Protection" Feature: Platforms must provide users with an easy-to-use self-protection tool. When activated, it can restrict comments, private messages, and mentions from non-followers, offering a quick shield during targeted harassment campaigns.
  • Stricter Account Management & Reporting: Accounts that repeatedly or maliciously post violent content will face blacklisting, functional restrictions, or suspension. Platforms must also regularly report their enforcement actions to authorities.

A Regulatory Milestone: Addressing the AI Challenge

The most groundbreaking aspect of the draft is its explicit inclusion of AI-generated content—such as deepfake images, videos, and algorithmically synthesized harassing text—within the definition of online violence information.

This clause directly confronts the emerging threat of technology-facilitated abuse, where AI tools are used to create convincing fake media for defamation or to automate malicious interactions. The regulator recognizes that technological abuse necessitates updated legal frameworks.

Platforms Anticipate Changes: Anonymity Under Scrutiny

Prior to the draft's release, some platforms had already begun adjusting their policies. The Q&A platform Zhihu recently further restricted the use of its anonymous posting feature, a move widely seen as preemptive adaptation to a stricter regulatory climate. While anonymity can enable free expression, it also often shelters perpetrators of online attacks. Under the new rules, platforms will bear greater responsibility for monitoring content published anonymously.

The draft is now open for public feedback for one month. After revisions, the finalized regulation will be enacted, providing a stronger legal foundation for maintaining a healthier online environment.