China tightens controls on Internet to try to remove ‘weeds’ and keep things positive online

New rules took effect on Sunday putting responsibility on websites, service providers, producers and users. Content ‘harming national interests’, ‘spreading rumours’, ‘sexual innuendo’ or ‘inappropriate commentary on natural disasters’ is deemed unacceptable. — SCMP

China’s online content producers are on alert for “rumours” or anything else deemed unacceptable by the regulators under stringent new internet rules that took effect on Sunday.

The regulations – announced by the Cyberspace Administration of China in December but effective from March 1 – put responsibility for such content not just on the websites that host it but service providers, content producers and service users.