China: Closed consultation on draft Measures for the Administration of Online Games including measures for minor protection

On 22 January 2024, the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) closed the public consultation on the draft Measures for the Administration of Online Games. The draft measures outline specific provisions for online game publishing business units regarding minors' engagement with online games. The measures require the providers to implement measures to regulate the time minors spend on online games, restrict access to potentially addictive and inappropriate content, and enforce limitations on spending for different age groups. Further, the measures prohibit certain services to minors, such as account rental, sales, and third-party services. In addition, the measures require the establishment of anti-addiction systems by online game publishing business units. It mandates the prevention of addiction-inducing products and services for minors, regular revision of content that might lead to addiction, and the provision of user-oriented services for addiction reporting. Public disclosure of anti-addiction efforts and acceptance of societal oversight are also required. In addition, the providers are required to verify the minors' identities and ages, establish rules to prevent minors from addiction, provide age-appropriate tips, and provide reminders to protect minors' physical and psychological health. The classification of game products based on age stages and prominent reminders during downloads, registrations, and login screens are also mandated.