Campaign to rectify behavior of livestreamers
Top regulator to curb false information, improper behavior in booming industry
China's top internet regulator has launched a one-month campaign to rectify the behavior of livestreamers who spread false and vulgar information and values in an effort to ensure the healthy development of China's booming livestreaming sector.
The Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission said on Thursday that the campaign will target five behaviors, including creating fake identities to seek sympathy from the public to sell products.
Some livestreamers make people believe they are dedicated to various causes, such as poverty alleviation and helping farmers, to encourage more people to place orders. Some even pretend that they are poor and sick, or use the images of minors, people with disabilities or the elderly to attract hits, the regulator said.
Some also pretend to be professionals in the finance, education, medical care or legal sectors when offering to provide paid "professional services". Some have spread wrong values about marriage by offering people consultations on relationships.
Wearing skimpy clothing and making indecent suggestions with moves or words during livestreaming sessions will also be targeted, it added, as will those who use foul language or instigate conflict to attract people's attention.
To create the impression that products are extremely popular, and that people should place orders as soon as possible, some livestreamers invent data, including the number of views and deals. Some have also exaggerated the effects of food and healthcare products to mislead consumers.
The office said that livestreamers' credentials in the finance, education, medical care or legal sectors must be verified, and those who offer services without credentials will face punishment.
People also need to be encouraged to act responsibly in livestreaming rooms, it added. They should express their views rationally, and foul and abusive language must be strictly dealt with.
Quality livestreamers will receive support from platforms and be given exposure, the office said.
More than 15 million people in China were working as livestreamers by the end of last year, according to an annual report on China's internet audiovisual services published in March.
Liu Lu, who often buys products during livestreams, said it's about time the authorities regulated the behavior of livestreamers.
"I'm tired of livestreamers exaggerating the popularity of their products with so-called limited stock while they may have a warehouse full of it. It's just not right and very deceitful," said Liu, who is from Beijing.
She said she also hopes authorities can strengthen the supervision and testing of product quality, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers.
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