September 20th， according to China’s Cyberspace Administration (CAC)， both Weibo and Kuaishou platforms have been penalized for disseminating inappropriate content， specifically for sensationalizing celebrity trivialities through their trending topics， as reported by the “Wangxin China” official WeChat account.
The key points of the regulatory actions are as follows:
Recently， the CAC， in conjunction with the Beijing Cyberspace Administration， has taken disciplinary action against the Weibo platform. This includes a formal interview， an order for rectification within a specified timeframe， a warning， and strict penalties for responsible personnel. The primary issue identified was Weibo’s failure to fulfill its responsibility for content management. The platform was found to be prominently featuring a large number of trending topics that sensationalized celebrities’ personal lives and trivial matters， thereby negatively impacting the online ecosystem. This action was taken in accordance with regulations such as the “Regulations on the Governance of the Online Information Content Ecosystem.”
Similarly， the Kuaishou platform has also faced similar disciplinary measures. The CAC， in coordination with the Beijing Cyberspace Administration， conducted a formal interview， issued an order for rectification， imposed a warning， and held responsible individuals accountable. The core problem identified with Kuaishou was its inadequate implementation of content management responsibilities， leading to a proliferation of trending topics that focused on sensationalizing celebrities’ personal lives and trivial matters. This was identified as a prevailing tendency towards “pan-entertainment” content， which can dilute the informational value of trending sections and contribute to a less substantive online discourse. These actions were also taken in accordance with relevant regulations， including the “Regulations on the Governance of the Online Information Content Ecosystem.”
These regulatory actions highlight a broader trend in China’s cyberspace governance， which aims to curate a healthier and more constructive online environment. By targeting platforms that prioritize celebrity gossip and trivial content in their trending sections， authorities are signaling a directive towards more substantial and socially responsible information dissemination. The emphasis on “information content management” and the prevention of “pan-entertainment” tendencies suggests a strategic effort to elevate the quality of public discourse and discourage the amplification of content deemed superficial or potentially harmful to the online ecosystem. This scrutiny is likely to encourage platforms to re-evaluate their algorithms and editorial strategies， potentially leading to a more balanced and diverse range of trending topics that cater to a wider spectrum of societal interests and concerns.
