Chinese regulators seek cap on tips given by internet users to live-streaming content creators
- China’s new guidelines for internet platforms aim to limit how much users can tip live-streaming content creators
- The guidelines also require platform operators to establish a ‘classification and rating’ system for these content providers
Internet platforms will need to put a “reasonable” cap on the amount of digital monetary tips that their users send to live-streaming content providers, according to new guidelines issued on Tuesday, amid government efforts to clean up China’s online economy.
Tips paid to live-streaming content creators provide a source of revenue for the country’s internet platforms, which take a cut from the amount sent by their users to these online hosts.
In China’s booming live-streaming sector, a top streamer can make millions of yuan a year, mostly via virtual-gift tipping from fans.
The guidelines, jointly issued by internet watchdog the Cyberspace Administration of China and six other government agencies, did not provide a specific monetary limit for tipping.
The new guidelines also directed internet platforms to establish a “classification and rating” system for live-streamers to better manage these content providers. When necessary, the platform operators can also introduce a “cool-off period” for users who typically make generous tips.
