Renowned social media platforms in China, such as WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, Bilbili, and the search engine Baidu, along with the e-commerce platform Xiaohongshu, have collectively decided to implement new usage policies. These policies dictate that accounts with over 500,000 followers must display their real names; otherwise, they will face various restrictions.
This policy has caused concern among online celebrities, numbering in the thousands, who worry about being exposed. Bytedance, the company behind platforms like Douyin, has clarified that only users who have verified their identities will be able to see the real names of these accounts. On the other hand, Weibo has pledged not to extend this policy to accounts with smaller follower counts.
The enforcement measures vary across different platforms. Some platforms have stated that they will gradually limit visibility if users refuse to disclose their true identities, while others may impact their revenue streams.
TLDR: Prominent Chinese social media platforms, including WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, Bilbili, and search engine Baidu, along with e-commerce platform Xiaohongshu, have jointly implemented a policy requiring accounts with over 500,000 followers to display their real names. Failure to comply could result in various restrictions. This has raised concerns among online celebrities, as some fear being exposed. Platforms like Bytedance and Weibo have outlined different approaches to this policy, with Bytedance only revealing real names to verified users and Weibo exempting accounts with smaller follower counts. Enforcement measures vary across platforms, potentially impacting visibility or revenue.
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