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

On 28 February 2023, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) terminated the “Qinglang 2023 Spring Festival Improvement of the Network Environment” special action, which included guidelines for a campaign over the Lunar New Year focusing on online content moderation. This included, 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.