Sep 30, 2021 14:10:00

China announces plans to tighten regulations on 'algorithms', part of tightening on online services

On September 29, 2021, the China Cyberspace Administration (CAC) introduced a sound management mechanism and standardized ecosystem of 'algorithms ' related to Internet information services in the next three years, and the industry is healthy and orderly. Announced a joint plan for development. In recent years, Chinese authorities have tightened regulations on online services, and this announcement is seen as part of that.

China to tighten regulation of algorithms related to internet information services --Xinhua
http://www.news.cn/english/2021-09/29/c_1310217915.htm

China draws up plan to bring algorithms under state control in sign of tightened censorship | South China Morning Post
https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3150608/china-draws-plan-bring-algorithms-under-state-control-sign-tightened

China unveils plan to bring algorithms of its internet industry under state control to tighten censorship --The Economic Times
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/china-unveils-plan-to-bring-algorithms-of-its-internet-industry-under-state-control-to-tighten-censorship/ articleshow / 86619810.cms

China tightens its squeeze on the online services industry, tightening antitrust laws aimed at e-commerce systems and payment services in 2021, and rules limiting children's online gameplay to 'less than 3 hours a week', We are embarking on regulations for online education business.

In September, the State Council of the People's Republic of China , the equivalent of the Japanese cabinet, announced a policy to strengthen surveillance of online news sites and platforms and encourage them to spread the values of socialism. In cyberspace, we will cultivate ethics and rules that match the values of socialism and promote a more 'civilized' Internet.

China aims to 'civilize' the Internet Focusing on socialist values = Xinhua News Agency | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/china-education-internet-idJPKBN2GA29H

In a new statement, CAC said, 'Algorithms have played an important role in the dissemination of information, the promotion of the digital economy and the development of society in recent years. At the same time, improper application of algorithms is the dissemination of information, markets and social order. Confused and posed challenges for ideology, social justice, and protecting the rights of Internet users. ' Based on the joint policy guidelines released in August by nine regulatory departments, including the CAC and the Propaganda Department of the Communist Party, they have called on local governments to tighten algorithms over the next three years and hold companies accountable for technology.

The Joint Policy Guidelines, released in August, reiterated that the role of self-regulation by businesses is important, as well as calling for tighter regulation by local governments. Companies are being encouraged to increase their responsibility for the algorithms they operate and to set up an ethical review system for security and science and technology, and legal violations and fraud related to the algorithms will be severely punished. It also states that it prohibits the abuse of algorithms such as falsification of public opinion using algorithms, attacks on competitors, and infringement of the rights of Internet users.

Algorithms are an important asset in China's online services industry, and TikTok and bilibili use them to learn user interests and recommend personalized content and products. Hong Kong's daily English newspaper South China Morning Post states that Chinese authorities are trying to put algorithms under state control because algorithms are important in controlling what people see and hear in the digital space. I did.