China: Adopted Qinglang 2023 Spring Festival Network Environment Improvement Special Action

On 18 January 2023, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) launched the “Qinglang 2023 Spring Festival Improvement of the Network Environment” special action, which includes guidelines for a campaign over the Lunar New Year focusing on online content moderation. This includes, among others, investigating influencers or social media users who post misleading information, illegal online gambling and fraud, cyberbullying and strengthening protection for minors. Notably, the CAC’s guidelines also highlighted that online “rumours” around infections and policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic will be investigated and amended accordingly, so as to prevent public panic. The special action terminates at the end of February 2023.