A screenshot of the release by CAC Photo: Official WeChat account of CAC

 
China's lifestyle-sharing social media platform Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, has been summoned for talks by the cyberspace governing body for failing to fulfill its responsibility in managing its content, according to a release by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on Thursday. 

Multiple entries that hype celebrities' personal updates and trivial topics were appeared on the platform's trending list recently, thereby harming the online ecosystem. The CAC has issued warnings to the platform, ordered it to rectify within a specified time framework, and will hold all relevant personnel strictly accountable, the release said. 

A clear and wholesome cyberspace with a sound ecosystem serves the interests of the people. The cyberspace authorities will continue to focus on illegal and irregular problems that undermine the online environment, tighten internet law enforcement, and urge websites and platforms to fulfill their primary and social responsibilities, so as to genuinely safeguard a clean and healthy cyberspace, according to the release.

To strengthen the protection of minors online and foster a sound cyberspace environment, the CAC launched a two-month nationwide campaign for improving the online environment for minors starting from July. 

The special campaign focused on rectifying online problems that harm or negatively affect the physical and mental health of minors. It will strictly investigate and punish illegal content involving violence and superstition, pornography, inducement of suicide or self-harm, and infringement of minors' privacy. It will also clean up vulgar, crude, money-worshipping, or wealth-flaunting content, as well as extreme emotional expressions, while severely cracking down on illegal activities targeting minors.

In February, CAC announced that over 10,000 illegal websites were shut down in 2024 amid strengthened efforts to clean up the cyberspace environment, according to a report by the Xinhua News Agency.

Last year, cyberspace authorities across the country prioritized combating violations in cyberspace, including infringement on minors, online violence and the spread of disinformation. As part of this initiative, they summoned representatives from 11,159 websites and online platforms for talks, and issued warnings or fines to 4,046 that were found to have made relevant violations, the report said.

Global Times