China to Ban Porn, Tibetan Independence, Witchcraft, and Blood on Short-Video Apps

China is setting up the latest rules on a string of short-video apps, including Douyin, another name of TikTok, a media app developed by ByteDance. Since the guidelines come into effect, social media companies will have to monitor 100 kinds of illegal content.

The Financial Times revealed that about 600 million people living in China often watch or post short videos through many different apps.

China Netcasting Services Association, an industry organization, is reportedly the one to establish the rules according to the guidance of the Chinese government. A few days ago, the group introduced a list including 100 rules to stipulate which kind of contents will be banned in the country.

All content related to “witchcraft practices” will be supposed to promote “feudal superstitions” or violate the spirit of science. In addition, a lot of other contents will be no longer available on short-video apps. They include bloody scenes, porn, slander, horror scenarios, as well as activities that are not suitable for social morality. Videos promoting “suicide games” or “funeral culture” also belong to this list.

Due to the Chinese government’s guidelines, all short-video apps won’t be allowed to make any criticism of political beliefs, symbols, or the nation’s policies. The content of the independence of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Tibet is entirely forbidden in activities, views, as well as icons.

Pursuant to the new rules, any satiric or offensive presentation relating to “heroic martyrs” and political leaders is banned.

ByteDance, the parent company of both Douyin and TikTok, has not made any comment on what China Netcasting Services Association has offered. However, these rules may not affect TikTok users out of China’s territory. Douyin, the version destined for Chinese users, is the primary object to follow them.