China bans sex toys and foreign media from online shopping streams in new etiquette rules for influencers

Online shopping platforms are the latest sector targeted in a sweeping crackdown by the Chinese authorities, as William Yang reports

The standard will be applied to all kinds of ecommerce platforms that provide services or sell products through live-streams (Reuters)

The Chinese government has introduced a new plan to regulate how presenters and influencers on online shopping streams are allowed to dress, behave and promote products, as part of a far-reaching crackdown on private businesses.

According to the new regulations proposed by the ministry of commerce, items like sex toys, medicines, spy devices and foreign newspapers are now banned from being sold during live-streams hosted on ecommerce websites.

Live-stream presenters must now be at least 16 years old and will be required to speak in Mandarin, the rules state. Ecommerce websites will be required to have an open comment section for viewers to comment on their streams, and they will be banned from deleting negative comments or posting fake positive ones.