China Implements Mobile IM Official Account Regulations
DoNews, 8/07/14
China's State Internet Information Office (SIIO) today released provisional regulations for instant messaging (IM) platform official accounts in China, to be implemented immediately. Official accounts are used by enterprises and celebrities to interact with "followers."
The SIIO defines "IM services" as internet-based applications that provide instant message exchange services to terminal users. "Public information services" (official accounts) are defined as IM accounts that send messages to the public through IM app official accounts and other methods.
Major regulations laid out by the SIIO are as follows:
1. Real-name registration: IM service providers must require users to verify their identity in order to set up official accounts, and users must promise to abide by all laws, regulations, and the socialist system;
2. IM service providers that engage in public information services must obtain online news and information service licenses;
3. IM users that wish to open public accounts must submit application materials to IM service providers for approval. IM service providers must submit approved account information to the SIIO;
4. Public accounts opened by state-run news agencies and news websites can publish and reprint current political news; public accounts opened by non-state-run news agencies that have obtained online news and information service licenses can reprint current political news; public accounts that have not been specifically approved cannot publish or reprint current political news; IM service providers must add a symbol to public accounts that have been approved to publish or reprint current political news;
5. IM service providers must protect user information and the personal privacy of citizens, submit to public inspections, and report illegal and harmful information in a timely manner.
Editor's Note: For more background on this topic, please see "China Cracks Down on Mobile IM Official Account Platforms" MD 5/28/14 issue.
Keywords: wireless mobile IM State Internet Information Office regulation real name system
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