Chinese regulatory authorities have levied a substantial penalty against leading short-video platform Kuaishou for systemic failures in content moderation and cybersecurity protocols. The Beijing Cyberspace Administration disclosed on Friday a fine totaling 119.1 million yuan ($17.16 million) following an extensive investigation into the platform’s operations.
The regulatory action was initiated after authorities detected a significant increase in livestreamed content violating China’s strict internet decency standards. The investigation revealed critical deficiencies in Kuaishou’s compliance framework, including inadequate response to security vulnerabilities and insufficient mechanisms for removing prohibited content in accordance with China’s cybersecurity legislation.
In an official statement, the administration characterized these operational failures as severe violations with substantial negative social impact. The penalty amount was determined based on the gravity of infractions and calculated according to statutory provisions within China’s internet governance framework.
The regulatory body reaffirmed its commitment to rigorous enforcement of digital content policies, emphasizing that all online platforms must prioritize cybersecurity measures and maintain legally compliant operating environments. Authorities urged industry participants to strengthen internal governance systems and assume greater responsibility for protecting user rights and public interests.
Kuaishou responded with a formal apology acknowledging deficiencies in risk management, security infrastructure, and internal control mechanisms. The platform indicated it has implemented corrective measures addressing these shortcomings and committed to enhancing its compliance protocols and governance structures. Company representatives stated they have derived significant lessons from the incident and will intensify efforts to balance platform development with regulatory obligations.