The State Internet Information Office and four other departments jointly published the "Regulations on the Management of Internet Information Content Multi-Channel Distribution Services"

On May 29, 2026, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the State Administration of Radio and Television jointly issued the "Regulations on the Management of Internet Information Content Multi-Channel Distribution Services" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"), which will take effect on September 1, 2026. An official from the Cyberspace Administration of China stated that the purpose of the "Regulations" is to promote the standardized and healthy development of Internet information content multi-channel distribution services, protect the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, legal persons, and other organizations, and create a good online environment. In recent years, Internet information content multi-channel distribution services have rapidly developed, and related industries have grown, providing convenience for the production and dissemination of Internet information content. At the same time, some organizations and platforms frequently exploit hot topics, create false identities, and spread illegal and harmful information, disrupting online order and infringing on the legitimate rights and interests of the people. The promulgation of the "Regulations" is necessary to promote the healthy development of Internet information content multi-channel distribution services under the rule of law and to prevent and resolve related risks through institutional means. The "Regulations" stipulate that providers or users of Internet information content multi-channel distribution services must comply with laws, regulations, and relevant national provisions, uphold the core socialist values, and encourage industry organizations to strengthen self-discipline. The "Regulations" require that Internet information content multi-channel distribution service institutions must register their operating entities in accordance with the law and obtain the corresponding administrative permits; platforms must sign entry agreements with Internet information content multi-channel distribution service institutions and promptly report the entry status to the provincial-level Cyberspace Administration departments. Platforms should prominently display the name of the internet information content multi-channel distribution service institution to which the account belongs on the public information page of the contracted internet users. The "Regulations" also stipulate that Internet information content multi-channel distribution service institutions must verify the identity of the producers and operators of internet user public accounts in accordance with the law, fulfill their information security management obligations in accordance with the law and contracts, assist and urge internet user public account producers and operators to comply with information security management requirements. The "Regulations" encourage the production and dissemination of positive energy information content, define the obligation to manage illegal and harmful information, explicitly prohibit behaviors such as confusing audiovisuals, misleading the public, disrupting the order of Internet information services, or seeking improper benefits. They also strengthen the protection of minors on the internet, explicitly prohibiting the provision of network live broadcasting services to minors under the age of sixteen; strengthen the management of online live marketing activities, requiring the establishment of standardized live product selection mechanisms, error correction mechanisms, etc. In addition, the "Regulations" also specify the legal responsibilities for related illegal acts. An official from the Cyberspace Administration of China stated that strengthening the management of Internet information content multi-channel distribution services requires the participation of the government, enterprises, society, netizens, and others to jointly maintain a good online environment and continuously create a clean and positive cyberspace. This article is reprinted from the "Cyberspace China" WeChat public account. Editor: Feng Qiuyi.