The complicated relationship between tech markets and streaming regulations in China

Editor’s note: This was written by Kayla Matthews, a freelance writer focusing on technology and online media. You can find more of her work on VentureBeat, MakeUseOf, Motherboard and Gear Diary. 

The digital content market in China has exploded. In an effort to gain control over the unregulated medium, Chinese authorities are now requiring various platforms to acquire licenses. The licenses relate to video and audio broadcasts and are more in line with the country’s traditional regulations for media.

Most importantly, the Chinese State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) now requires social media providers to obtain a special license in order to broadcast video or audio. This new regulation will affect a variety of social providers in the country, including WeChat, Weibo, and more. The regulation also requires social media networks to have traditional broadcast licenses for any and all distributed content, not just official media.

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