China has rolled out new regulations to tighten control over social media influencers, mandating that anyone who discusses professional topics such as medicine, finance, law, or education, must first prove their qualifications.
According to the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), content creators will now need to present evidence of formal education, specialized training, or verified professional credentials before sharing advice in these areas.
Authorities say the policy is designed to curb misinformation and ensure that online commentary on technical subjects comes from credible sources.
Major platforms including Douyin, Weibo, and Bilibili would bear the responsibility of verifying these credentials and Influencers who fail to comply could face account suspension, permanent bans, or fines reaching up to 100,000 yuan which is about $14,000.
Officials also say the new rules aim to protect the public from false or misleading information. However, analysts caution that the policy could also tighten government control over digital discourse and reduce space for independent or alternative viewpoints online.
The move is part of Beijing’s broader campaign to regulate influencer culture and promote what it calls “orderly and healthy” communication across Chinese social media, underscoring the government’s expanding role in shaping public conversation on the internet.
