Beijing tightens grip on China social media giants

New rules clamping down on China’s internet giants are now in effect. These rules, part of the expanded State Secrets Law, require companies like Tencent, ByteDance, and Weibo to swiftly act if users share sensitive content. Dubbed as “network operators,” these firms must keep a close eye on user-shared info, promptly remove flagged posts, and report any issues to the authorities.

This update, the first in over a decade, reflects President Xi Jinping’s focus on national security amid the government’s scrutiny of the country’s tech industry. In February, a National Administration of State Secrets Protection official emphasised the need for these rules due to new challenges in safeguarding state secrets in the digital age.

While China’s internet companies already face strict regulations, these changes raise the bar for active self-monitoring and cooperation, according to Hong Kong-based law professor Ryan Mitchell. 

The revamped rules also broaden the definition of sensitive information to include “work secrets,” potentially posing challenges for journalists, especially foreign correspondents.