China Enforces Mandatory AI-Generated Content Labels on Social Media

China has implemented new regulations requiring major social media platforms like WeChat, Douyin, Weibo, and Xiaohongshu to label AI-generated content, including text, images, audio, video, and virtual scenes, to improve transparency and combat misinformation. These labels include both explicit markings visible to users and implicit identifiers embedded in metadata, with platforms responsible for reviewing content and applying multi-tier labeling systems to distinguish confirmed AI-generated content from suspected cases. Users must proactively declare AI-generated content, and are prohibited from removing or tampering with labels; violations such as spreading false or illegal information using AI may result in penalties. The regulations, drafted by the Cyberspace Administration of China and other government bodies, align with China's broader effort to tighten AI oversight under campaigns like the 2025 Qinglang initiative. Platforms are also encouraged to provide channels for user feedback and to avoid harsh penalties for content only suspected of being AI-generated to protect content creators. These measures aim to foster a safer and more credible online environment amid the growing prevalence of generative AI content in China.