China's new influencer crackdown bans unqualified voices from covering these 'sensitive topics' to fight misinformation - should the US do the same?

"(1) If you're an online influencer in China and you publish content on what the regulators deem "sensitive topics" - namely medicine, finance, education or law - you must now hold professional credentials such as a degree, licence or certification. Must Read Platforms such as Douyin, Bilibili and Weibo are now required to verify creators' qualifications to ensure their claims come from a legitimate source and to issue warnings or remove content when credentials are missing or dubious. (2)"

"The regulatory intervention in China aimed at mitigating misinformation in the digital realm. Chinese regulators observed that the creator economy has become a source of professional advice. For example, influencers with large followings were dispensing investment tips without proper financial training or offering medical treatments without appropriate credentials. The phenomenon triggered concern from authorities, which prompted these tighter rules. (4)"

"By requiring platforms to verify credentials and requiring credentials for influencers, the Chinese policy aims to raise the bar for who can discuss "sensitive topics." It also shifts responsibility upstream to platforms and arguably to brands that partner with creators. For brands looking to collaborate with influencers in China, campaigns now have to check whether a creator is credential-eligible before they go live or publish advice-type content. If the creator fails verification, platforms can pause the campaign, remove their content or jeopardize the brand's credibility."

China now requires online influencers who produce content on medicine, finance, education or law to hold professional credentials such as degrees, licences or certifications. Major platforms including Douyin, Bilibili and Weibo must verify creators' qualifications and may issue warnings, remove content or pause campaigns when credentials are missing or dubious. Fines for non-compliance can reach 100,000 yuan. The policy aims to curb misinformation after influencers dispensed professional advice without proper training. The creator economy, valued at about 100 billion yuan in 2023, influences public opinion and financial decisions, and brands must now verify creators before collaborations.

Read at Aol