Tencent hit with lawsuit for violating children’s rights on day China rolls out updated minors protection rules

The Beijing Children’s Law Aid And Research Centre accuses Tencent’s Honour of Kings of encouraging gaming addiction and showing inappropriate content. The NGO’s lawsuit was filed on the same day that China’s updated Minors Protection Law came into effect. — SCMP

A children’s rights organisation on June 1 slapped Tencent Holdings with a public interest lawsuit, alleging that the Internet giant’s blockbuster video game Honour of Kings violates the rights of minors by encouraging addictive behaviour and showing inappropriate content.

The lawsuit, which was filed on the same day that China’s updated Minors Protection Law came into effect, accuses Honour Of Kings of weakening the self-control of minors, showing them inappropriate content – including women’s cleavage, violence and improper comments – and misrepresenting Chinese history, according to a post on WeChat by the non-government organisation (NGO) Beijing Children’s Law Aid And Research Centre (BCLARC).