Beijing seeks to regulate algorithms

While acknowledging the crucial role of algorithms in the development of the digital economy, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has set out new guidelines overseeing their use. 

A three-year plan asks local authorities to tighten the regulation of algorithms and says companies will be held accountable for misusing the technology, putting additional legal responsibilities on algorithm owners operating in news, web search, gaming, e-commerce and short-video sharing, the South China Morning Post reported. 

Why it matters

Algorithms are effectively the ‘secret sauce’ for Chinese tech companies and key to the success of businesses like TikTok which use them to learn about the personal interests of their users and recommend relevant content or products to them.

What CAC says

“In recent years, algorithms have played an important role in accelerating the spread of information, fostering the digital economy and promoting social development. At the same time, the inappropriate application of algorithms has disrupted the dissemination of information, as well as market and social order, posing a challenge to the protection of ideology, social justice and the rights of internet users.” 

Sourced from South China Morning Post