Summary of Key Points
Recently, police in various regions have taken criminal detention measures against several internet celebrities for a range of misconduct, including vulgar poses for photos, AI-generated rumors targeting companies, and insults to academicians. This marks a shift in the approach to online governance in China from previous lighter penalties such as account bans and fines to criminal prosecution, sending a strong signal that "the internet is not a lawless space, and monetization of online content cannot override legal boundaries." The aim is to maintain public order and rectify the online content ecosystem.
Three Typical Cases: Internet Celebrities' Reckless Actions
The recently detained celebrities all engaged in behavior that crossed the line:
- Miluo's "Pig Cage Drowning" Pose: On June 26, someone in Miluo, Hunan, planned a photo shoot where a man and a woman were pretended to be taken to a pig cage for a public display, deliberately causing panic. The planner was criminally detained, and eight others were given administrative penalties.
- Shenzhen's AI-Rumored Attack on Dongpeng Special Drink: On June 29, a man in Shenzhen used AI to spread false information that the founder of Dongpeng Special Drink did not drink the company's own products, damaging the company's reputation. He was also criminally detained.
- Shenyang's Insult to Academician Yuan Longping: On the same day, a man in Shenyang maliciously misrepresented Yuan Longping's hybrid rice technology and used derogatory terms, causing public outrage. He was arrested.
These actions are not minor offenses but directly challenge legal and moral boundaries.
Upgrade in Penalties: From Minor Sanctions to Criminal Records
In the past, penalties for internet celebrities' inappropriate behavior were mostly soft measures such as account bans, removal of rewards, administrative fines, or short-term detention (up to 15 days) without leaving a criminal record.
Now things have changed—criminal prosecution has become the norm. Being criminally detained means being suspected of a crime, and a conviction can result in a permanent criminal record, affecting job prospects, loan applications, and children's education. For example, these celebrities may no longer be eligible to apply for civil service positions in the future. This is a clear message from the authorities: "Don't think that online violations go unnoticed; serious consequences can last a lifetime."
Why the Strict Approach?
Some argue that the internet will self-purify, but reality is that with the potential for monetization of traffic, many celebrities will do anything to gain fame—spreading rumors, engaging in vulgarity, and insulting others. Behind these behaviors are often profit-driven interests that fuel the problem. Criminal prosecution serves as the last line of defense for maintaining social order. If a celebrity's actions are just minor disruptions (like occasionally using offensive language), administrative detention might suffice; however, if there is malicious intent and serious consequences (such as damaging a company's reputation or insulting a hero), criminal laws must be enforced. This serves as a warning to the entire industry: do not cross the lines!
Legal Restrictions Are Clear
The state has long set clear boundaries for internet celebrities:
- Specific Regulations: The Cybersecurity Law, Guidelines for Online Anchors' Behavior, and Regulations on the Governance of Online Information Content all prohibit the dissemination of vulgar content and rumor-mongering.
- Negative Lists: The Notice on Regulating the Behavior of Internet Celebrity Accounts issued by the Central Cyberspace Administration at the end of 2025 explicitly lists prohibited actions (such as spreading false information and promoting negative values).
- Criminal Law/Civil Code: Spreading rumors that defame others can constitute defamation, and insulting heroes and martyrs violates the Heroes and Martyrs Protection Law. These are all binding legal provisions.
Celebrities should stop pretending to be unaware; these regulations have been publicly available for a long time.
A Warning to Internet Celebrities: Traffic Is Not an Immunity Shield
As public figures with followers, internet celebrities bear social responsibility:
- Traffic Does Not Equal Immunity: Having many fans and high traffic does not mean you can break the law. The recently detained celebrities were all well-known and still caught.
- Long-Term Efforts Needed: Regulatory authorities are committed to addressing the issue comprehensively, not just temporarily. They aim to punish offenders and cut off the underlying profit chains (e.g., those who promote vulgar content or profit from it), creating a healthy online environment.
In summary, internet celebrities can make money, but they must do so within the law. Those who cross legal boundaries will face consequences, including imprisonment and a criminal record. This analysis explains the events, reasons, legal basis, and warnings in plain language, making it easy for non-experts to understand. The core message is clear: the internet is not a place where laws do not apply, and celebrities should stop overstepping their bounds.