China’s cyberspace authorities have unveiled a draft regulation aimed at governing cyber violence. The proposed regulation, titled “Cyber Violence Information Governance Provisions,” introduces the concept of “one-click protection” to shield victims from cyber violence risks. According to the draft released by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the “one-click protection” function allows individuals who experience cyber violence to easily close strangers’ private messages and comments.
Under the draft regulation, online information service providers will be required to promptly remind users to activate the “one-click protection” function when facing cyber violence threats. In cases involving minors, the elderly, or when users publicly express being targeted by cyber violence, online platforms are mandated to provide the protective function.
Comprising 31 provisions across seven articles, the draft regulation covers areas such as monitoring and early warning mechanisms, protection measures, supervision, and legal responsibilities related to cyber violence. The CAC has solicited public opinions on the draft, which aims to comprehensively manage the healthy ecology of cyberspace governance and curb cyber violence.
The draft also clarifies that existing laws, such as the Cybersecurity Law and the Personal Information Protection Law, can be applied to combat cyber violence. However, experts have noted that legislative provisions related to cyber violence are currently scattered across various levels of legislation, lacking coordination and specificity. They emphasize the need for the swift enactment of a dedicated law on cyber violence.
The draft defines cyber violence as the dissemination of illegal and harmful information through the internet, including insults, invasions, fabrications, slander, privacy infringements, and content that significantly impacts victims’ physical and mental health, such as moral manipulation, humiliation, discrimination, and malicious speculation.
A notable feature of the draft is the proposal to establish a working mechanism involving the cyberspace administration and relevant departments to facilitate information sharing, consultation, notification, evidence collection, investigation, and case supervision.
The regulations underscore the responsibilities of online information service providers in combating cyber violence. Their role encompasses account registration, content review, detection of violent information, and providing assistance to victims. Additionally, service providers are urged to establish and improve classification standards and a sample database of online violence cases to enhance accuracy in identifying and addressing such incidents.
The draft requires information service providers to facilitate one-click evidence collection against online violence, prioritize dealing with reports involving minors, and take measures to delete, screen, disconnect links, and restrict the transmission of abusive content. Online organizations organizing or inciting the release of online violence information may face penalties, including warnings, suspension of commercial activities, service restrictions, or account termination.
In response to violations of the provisions, online information service providers are instructed to issue warnings, reminders, account restrictions, or account closures. The draft regulation also suggests considering blacklist measures for individual users involved in organizing or inciting online violence.
Online information service providers are further mandated to strengthen the management of user account information to prevent malicious registration or the dissemination of information in violation of regulations. They are also encouraged to establish early warning models to detect the risks of network violence promptly. Regular publication of online violence information governance reports and annual reports on managing network information content is also encouraged.
As the draft regulation progresses, it underscores China’s commitment to addressing cyber violence and promoting a safer online environment by establishing clear guidelines and responsibilities for online platforms and service providers.