Cyber regulator to crack down on discrediting firms

China’s cyberspace regulator will conduct a special campaign to crack down on the behavior of discrediting companies and entrepreneurs, the latest move aimed at better serving China’s private economy.

The campaign will focus on rectifying the spread of false and untrue information related to enterprises, deliberately spreading rumors to discredit enterprises and entrepreneurs, and extorting enterprises in the name of “public opinion supervision,” according to a notice published by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on Friday.

The regulator urges website platforms to strengthen the review and management of enterprise-related information, and promptly remind relevant account entities to strictly abide by laws and regulations.

The campaign is in line with China’s efforts to boost the development of its private economy. China has long attached great importance to the private sector, encouraging it to play a bigger role in stabilizing growth.

China should lift some institutional obstacles to further optimize the investment environment for the country’s private sector in order to stimulate market vitality for investment, while ensuring domestic firms feel safe investing funds, said Yin Yanlin, deputy director of the General Office of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed the private investment in fixed assets slipped 0.4 percent in 2023 from the previous year.

The campaign launched by CAC also highlighted that it will regulate content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) on the internet.

The work specifically includes the identification of AI-generated content, optimization of the business network environment, rectification of the confusion around enterprise-related infringement on private information, cracking down on illegal internet news and information services, as well as rectification of false and vulgar livestreaming content.