Kuaishou Fined by China's Internet Regulatory Body Over Inadequate Filtering of Sex-related Content
China's internet regulatory body, the State Council Information Office, has directed an investigation into Kuaishou, a popular Chinese social media platform. The platform has been fined due to issues pertaining to its search engine. According to sources, the fine was imposed because the company failed to block inappropriate content related to sex in time on their search results. While the penalty will not affect Kuaishou's browser directly, it serves as a reminder of China's strict internet regulations and the importance of maintaining a clean online environment.
31 October 2023
On Weibo, netizens have expressed mixed reactions towards the incident. Some users expressed support for the fine, praising the authorities' efforts to maintain a clean internet ecosystem. Others were critical, claiming that Kuaishou is a user-friendly and convenient platform that should not be penalized for minor infractions.
One netizen wrote, "Good investigation of the Internet. The internet is not a lawless place, returning it to a clean land and supporting police officers. Children just watch broken novels. Good investigation! We can't let these impure things affect us！I have no interest in these at all." Another user shared their frustration, saying "Why won't you let me speak, I'm desperate."
Despite the controversy, many users remain loyal to Kuaishou. They hope that the platform will be able to resolve the issue and continue providing a popular and useful service. Some netizens highlighted Quark's clean interface without advertisements as one of its key selling points, stating that it is safer to use compared to other apps with frequent pop-up ads.
However, others expressed concern over potential safety issues related to Quark's search functionality. They pointed out instances where during searches, various jumps occur, potentially leading users to inappropriate or dangerous content. These concerns reflect the ongoing debate regarding online safety and the responsibilities of social media platforms to ensure a safe user experience.
The incident serves as an important reminder for internet companies operating in China about the strict regulations and the need to adhere to them rigorously, especially when it comes to maintaining a clean online environment. It is also a testament to the strong voice of Chinese netizens who are actively engaging in discussions around online safety and regulation. As Kuaishou works towards resolving the issue at hand, they will likely need to address these concerns and continue to communicate with their users to maintain trust and credibility.