China: Cybersecurity Department of the Changsha Public Security Bureau fined company involved staged advertising CNY 200’000

On 27 October 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation reported that the Cybersecurity Department of the Changsha Public Security Bureau's High-tech Branch, together with public security authorities, investigated a company for fabricating a false online persona, a “former chief female technical hacker at a large tech company”, to promote courses through staged videos. The investigation found that the company had no connection to the claimed identity and had used false advertising to attract traffic and sales. The authorities imposed a CNY 200’000 administrative fine, ordered the removal of all fake content, and cancelled the related accounts. Officials reminded users to verify instructors’ credentials and remain cautious of deceptive online marketing tactics.