Interim Provisions on the Administration of the Development of Public Information Services Provided via Instant Messengers entered into force on 7 Aug.2014.
There are 10 articles in total. The Provisions aim to regulate activities that provide public information services via instant messengers (products similar to WhatsApp/Skype, mainly referring to QQ/WeChat in China) within the territory of China. Key points of the Provisions are as follows:
The Cyberspace Administration of China and its local government counterparts are the regulatory authorities in this field.
Instant messaging service providers (“service providers”) shall obtain the relevant qualifications as required by laws and administrative regulations. To engage in public information services, service providers shall obtain the qualification for Internet-based news information services.
Service providers shall authenticate users’ real identity information.