China Intensifies Regulation of Online Sports Fan Communities to Combat Misconduct

On March 16, 2024, China's Ma Long and Lin Gaoyuan competed against Wang Chuqin and Fan Zhendong in the men's doubles final at the World Table Tennis Singapore Smash 2024 in Singapore.

China's cyberspace administration, in collaboration with sports authorities, is intensifying its efforts to regulate online sports fan communities. This initiative aims to address issues such as incitement, disputes, and verbal abuse within these online spaces. As a result of these efforts, over 1.6 million instances of illegal or non-compliant content have been removed, and 3,767 accounts have been shut down.

The primary goal of this campaign is to cultivate a positive online environment that supports athletes' preparations and ensures the successful hosting of sporting events. A sports commentator based in Beijing has criticized extreme fan behaviors, advocating for a rational approach to the outcomes of sporting events. The commentator emphasized the importance of supporting all athletes on the international stage, regardless of the final results.

The authorities are focusing on curbing harmful activities by "fan leaders" and self-media accounts. This has led to the closure of 1,376 accounts associated with "fan leaders" who were involved in fueling conflicts and organizing offline gatherings. Furthermore, 1,500 self-media accounts that spread rumors and promoted fan fiction that created false relationships between athletes have also been penalized.

Social media platforms have been instructed to take action, including closing 531 fake accounts that impersonated athletes and coaches, and dismantling 3,226 fan groups and 336 forums that encouraged irrational support. Additionally, 123 illegal products, such as forged athlete signatures, and six shops selling athletes' personal information have been removed from online platforms.

To prevent future issues, platforms are working to improve their community rules and eliminate features that promote unhealthy behaviors, such as rankings based on athletes' appearances. Authorities have pledged to increase oversight, urging platforms to enforce stricter content moderation and penalize operators who are negligent. Netizens are also encouraged to reject extreme fan culture and instead focus on supporting sportsmanship.