The Rise of Social Media Influencers: A New Era of Regulation
In today's digital age, becoming a social media influencer has become a collective dream. With just a smartphone, anyone can start sharing their thoughts and opinions on various topics, from personal development and health to finance and education. However, this phenomenon has raised serious questions about the reliability of online content, as individuals with no prior training or expertise are presenting themselves as authorities on sensitive topics.
A Need for Regulation
In response to this trend, some countries are starting to set boundaries. In Tunisia, Decree 54 has established a framework for regulating online publications. Meanwhile, China has taken a significant step in regulating the influencer economy. In October 2025, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced that content creators who want to discuss sensitive topics, such as medicine, law, finance, or education, must now hold an official certification or diploma proving their competence in the field.
New Measures for Influencers and Platforms
The measure aims to further regulate the activities of influencers and hold platforms accountable. According to the CAC's official statement published in January 2025, multi-channel networks (MCNs) must:
- Register with the authorities
- Have a content manager and a moderation team
- Ensure that creators have the necessary professional qualifications or services when engaging in activities such as entertainment or programming
What This Means for Creators and Platforms
For creators who focus on specialized topics, this new regulation means they must prove they have the necessary training or accreditation. Without it, they will no longer be able to freely publish their analyses, advice, or opinions on these topics. Chinese platforms have been ordered to verify that creators have the required diploma or license.
Platforms themselves are also subject to new obligations:
- They must clearly display which MCN is associated with each creator account
- They must establish a dedicated channel for reporting MCN or creator infractions
- They must register MCNs with the relevant authorities within 10 days of their entry onto the platform
Why This Measure?
The explosion of short videos, live streaming, and creator monetization has led to numerous abuses, including:
- Unqualified opinions and advice
- Provocation and sensationalism to attract audiences
- Exploitation of minors (so-called "child influencers")
- Clickbait and fake traffic practices The CAC's text explicitly mentions these phenomena as risks, including "manipulation of traffic, spreading rumors, staging hot topics, and using minors for commercial purposes."
The Goal: Improving Online Content Quality and State Control
The dual purpose of this measure is to improve the quality and credibility of online information and to strengthen state control over the digital space, which is considered strategic. By regulating the influencer economy, China aims to promote a more responsible and trustworthy online environment.
