China ramps up fight against online lies and misconduct

China's internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration, is intensifying its efforts to combat harmful and fake content online. Li Changxi, a CAC official, announced at a press conference on Tuesday that billions of pieces of such information have been purged in recent years.

"We've launched a series of campaigns targeting online problems like cyberbullying, rumors, and personal data breaches," Li said. "The goal is to ensure strong protection of everyone's legitimate rights in cyberspace."

Li highlighted a new regulation aimed at cracking down on anonymous accounts used to spread misinformation. He revealed that over 20 billion pieces of illegal online content have been removed to date.

Collaboration with other authorities has tightened app store regulations, preventing apps from illegally collecting user data. Additionally, a privacy-protecting express delivery system has been widely adopted, with nearly 89% of all deliveries utilizing blurred or hidden recipient information as of last year.

Protecting children online remains a top priority, according to Li. He pointed to several regulations enacted in recent years that leverage legal frameworks to safeguard children from internet addiction and cyberbullying.

Wang Song, CAC deputy head, emphasized the establishment of a comprehensive legal system for cyberspace. Over 150 internet-related laws have been formulated and issued, according to Wang.

"Strict enforcement of these laws has bolstered China's capacity for cyberspace governance," Wang stated.

Enhanced legal research allows China to effectively address new forms of internet disputes and cybercrimes. Emerging technologies like big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence are also subject to regulatory frameworks, Wang added.