A new law in China has sparked global discussion after requiring social media influencers to hold formal degrees before discussing serious topics such as medicine, law, education, or finance online.
The regulation, established by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), aims to curb misinformation but has also raised concerns about censorship and control over online speech. Under the new law, platforms such as Douyin (China’s version of TikTok) and Weibo are now responsible for verifying influencer credentials before allowing related content to go live. Influencers who fail to comply could face a fine of up to 100,000 yuan ($14,000).
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China’s Cyberspace Administration Implements New Restrictions
The new guidelines are intended to ensure that online content creators are qualified to discuss sensitive or technical subjects. The law requires any influencer discussing regulated topics to publicly post their credentials, such as a university degree or professional certification, when sharing related content.
Topics falling under this restriction include:
- Medicine and healthcare
- Law and legal interpretation
- Financial advice or investment analysis
- Educational guidance or tutoring
Influencers must also cite their sources in written posts or display references in videos, ensuring transparency and accountability.
The law further requires that any AI-generated material used in content be clearly labeled, a move officials say is meant to combat misinformation and deepfake usage.
Restrictions Extend to Advertising and Sponsorships
In addition to the degree requirement, the new policy also imposes stricter advertising regulations.
According to Dexerto, influencers are now banned from promoting medical products, supplements, or health-related items in educational or informational content. Authorities say the advertising restrictions are meant to prevent misleading or exploitative promotions, especially on platforms with large youth audiences.
While Chinese regulators have long targeted misinformation online, this law marks one of the strictest social media governance measures to date—shaping how millions of users can talk about real-world issues.