Cyberspace Administration of China

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) is the national internet content regulator and censor of the People's Republic of China. It helps the government control what people see and do online in the country.

The agency started in 2011 as the State Internet Information Office (SIIO), a smaller group under another government office. In 2014, it was renamed the Cyberspace Administration of China and became a key part of a bigger group led by the Chinese Communist Party. By 2018, it was linked to an even more important commission that handles cybersecurity and information.

The CAC has many important jobs. It makes and enforces rules about online content, keeps information safe, and protects people’s private data. It does this through creating rules, giving permissions for certain activities, and taking action when rules are broken. The current leader of the CAC is Zhuang Rongwen, who also works in another important part of the Chinese Communist Party.

History

On May 5, 2011, the government of China created an office called the State Internet Information Office (SIIO). This office was part of a larger group that helped manage information for the country.

In 2014, the SIIO was renamed in English to the Cyberspace Administration of China. Then, in 2018, this group became part of an even bigger commission that oversaw cybersecurity and information matters in China.

Structure

The Cyberspace Administration of China and the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission work together as "one institution with two names." The CAC helps make and carry out rules about the internet in China. It reports directly to the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, which is part of the CCP Central Committee. Zhuang Rongwen leads both groups and also helps with the CCP's Central Committee Publicity Department.

As of 2015, the CAC had several departments, including an Internet Security Emergency Command Center and a place to report illegal internet information. The China Cyberspace Research Institute also works under the CAC. Unlike many other government groups in China, the CAC does not often share details about its structure, budget, or staff, except for short descriptions of its leader and assistants. Some of its jobs are given to another group that checks if technology companies follow safety rules.

The CAC controls a special fund that owns small parts of big tech companies like ByteDance, Weibo Corporation, SenseTime, and Kuaishou. The CAC also organizes a big meeting called the World Internet Conference.

Directors

Role

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) is the main group in China that looks after the internet. It makes rules, checks that people follow the rules, and punishes those who don’t. It works on keeping online information safe and makes sure websites follow the rules.

Since it started in 2011, the CAC can give orders that can fine companies, take away their permission to work, or even close them down. Laws passed in 2016, 2021, and 2021 give the CAC more power to plan and watch over keeping information safe and to protect people’s personal details. Because of its big role, some experts think it is the strongest digital group in the world. It helps watch over important parts of China’s internet system.

Policies

Internet sovereignty

See also: Network sovereignty

In 2017, a group in China made a rule that companies could not invest in news websites unless they were part of the government. In 2022, they made more rules to check information sent between China and other countries. In March 2024, these rules became official laws.

Security

This group watches over important computer systems in China to keep them safe from attacks.

Censorship

Further information: Internet censorship in China

In 2015, this group worked to stop false information online after a big accident in a city. They also made songs to show support for the country. In 2020, they made rules for websites to stop bad information and to watch what people post. They removed some apps from stores that did not follow the rules. They also asked companies to stop talking about certain events and people.

In 2021, they started a way for people to report comments that did not agree with the government. In 2022, they made rules so that all comments had to be checked before being shared. During big events in 2022, they asked companies to watch more closely what people were saying online. In 2023, they asked to stop sad messages during special celebrations. In 2023 and 2026, they also asked to stop messages about certain ideas.

Propaganda

Further information: Propaganda in China and Public opinion struggle

In March 2024, they said that news websites must show positive stories about the country's successes.

Artificial intelligence

Further information: Artificial intelligence industry in China

In April 2023, they made rules for companies that make thinking machines. These machines must follow the country's ideas and protect information. In July 2023, they said that companies need permission before sharing certain kinds of thinking machines. In May 2024, they shared a new thinking machine about the country's ideas. In April 2026, they made rules for digital people made by thinking machines, including labels for what is real and what is not.

International cooperation

Since 2017, this group has worked with a group in Russia to share ideas about the internet.

Online access for minors

In November 2019, they made rules to limit how much time children could spend online playing games. Children under 18 could not play between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. They could play for 90 minutes on weekdays and 3 hours on weekends. They also limited how much money children could spend online.

In August 2023, they suggested more rules to stop children from spending too much time online. Children ages 16 to 18 could only use mobile devices for 2 hours a day, but parents could allow more time. Children under 18 could not use the internet between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Young children under 8 could only use the internet for 8 minutes a day. Websites would need to follow these rules.

Trolling and other online behaviors deemed harmful

In 2020, there was a big argument online among fans of famous people. This got the attention of leaders who worried about mean behavior online. In June 2021, they started a campaign to stop bad actions in groups of fans, like fighting and saying hurtful things online. Big websites changed their rules to help stop these problems.