China’s Online Content Crackdown Hits ByteDance and Alibaba Units
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China’s cyberspace regulator has reprimanded ByteDance Ltd.’s news app Toutiao and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s UC Browser over content featured in their trending topic lists, widening a clampdown that has roped in five of the country’s major internet firms this month.
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said Sept. 23 that it had penalized the two platforms for “damaging the online ecosystem.” The disciplinary action follows earlier sanctions against social media platform Xiaohongshu on Sept. 11, and against Weibo Corp. and Kuaishou Technology Co. on Sept. 20, all for similar violations.
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- China’s cyberspace regulator penalized ByteDance’s Toutiao and Alibaba’s UC Browser for “damaging the online ecosystem” via trending topic lists, following prior actions against Xiaohongshu, Weibo, and Kuaishou in September 2024.
- Sanctions focus on amplifying gossip, extreme incidents, cyberbullying, and privacy issues linked to “hot searches.”
- Platforms pledged rectification, amid an ongoing regulatory crackdown under the “Qinglang” campaign targeting algorithm-driven harmful content.
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Who’s Who
- ByteDance Ltd.
- ByteDance Ltd.'s news app Toutiao was reprimanded by China's cyberspace regulator for "damaging the online ecosystem" in September 2024. Toutiao was specifically cited for displaying "unhealthy information" on its main trending list and featuring related topics on its landing pages. This action is part of a broader crackdown on major internet firms for similar content violations.
- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s UC Browser has been reprimanded by China's cyberspace regulator for damaging the online ecosystem. The platform was accused of failing to manage its content, allowing its trending list to feature clusters of topics on "extreme and sensitive negative incidents" from non-authoritative sources. This disciplinary action is part of a broader crackdown on major internet firms for similar violations.
- UC Browser
- UC Browser, developed by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., was reprimanded by China's cyberspace regulator. It was accused of failing to manage its content, allowing its trending list to feature topics on "extreme and sensitive negative incidents" from non-authoritative sources, including content related to cyberbullying and the privacy of minors. This action is part of a broader crackdown on major internet firms for "damaging the online ecosystem."
- Xiaohongshu
- Xiaohongshu, an English social media platform, was penalized by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on September 11. The platform was sanctioned for similar violations as Weibo and Kuaishou, specifically for featuring content that hyped "celebrity personal updates and trivial matters" on its main trending lists. Xiaohongshu, along with other platforms, has vowed to establish rectification teams and improve its content management.
- Weibo Corp.
- Weibo Corp. was one of five major internet firms penalized by China's cyberspace regulator in September for "damaging the online ecosystem." Specifically, Weibo and Kuaishou were cited for featuring excessive content hyping "celebrity personal updates and trivial matters" on their trending lists. In response, Weibo publicly committed to a special overhaul with the "highest standards and strictest requirements."
- Kuaishou Technology Co.
- Kuaishou Technology Co. was penalized by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on September 20 for violations related to content on its trending topic lists. The company was cited for featuring content that hyped "celebrity personal updates and trivial matters" on its main trending lists. Kuaishou has since issued a public statement, pledging to establish rectification teams and improve its management of trending topics.
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What Happened When
- Late 2024：
- The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) launched the 'Qinglang' (Clear and Bright) campaign to tackle issues such as platforms' algorithms promoting vulgar content.
- By May 22, 2025：
- The CAC announced that progress had been made in regulating online content, but issues such as ineffective features and low-quality recommended content persisted.
- September 11, 2025：
- The CAC imposed sanctions on the social media platform Xiaohongshu for trending list violations.
- September 20, 2025：
- The CAC penalized Weibo Corp. and Kuaishou Technology Co. for violations related to the content of their trending lists.
- September 22, 2025：
- Another Qinglang campaign by the CAC was launched to specifically target online content that provokes negative emotions and group conflicts.
- September 23, 2025：
- The CAC announced penalties against ByteDance’s Toutiao and Alibaba’s UC Browser for the content featured in their trending topic lists.
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