Source information
This page reproduces, in reference translation, the “Online Game Industry Anti-Addiction Self-Regulation Convention” original PDF linked from Yodo1's original website, to present industry self-regulation material concerning online games in mainland China. The preamble, six articles, implementation requirements, and initiating organizations below are the contents of that document.
The requirements and terminology in the original belong to the industry convention. This page does not recast them as uniform terms for Yodo1's global corporate website or replace a particular game's user agreement or privacy policy. The original PDF does not list individual companies' signatures or a signing date. The source compilation date is not the convention's effective or signing date. This English version is a reference translation.
Preamble
To conscientiously implement the principles of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee's “Notice on Comprehensive Governance in the Cultural and Entertainment Sector” and the National Press and Publication Administration's “Notice on Further Strict Management to Effectively Prevent Minors from Becoming Addicted to Online Games,” resolutely prevent minors from becoming addicted to online games, strengthen industry self-regulation and self-examination, and promote the healthy and orderly development of the game industry. Under the guidance of the competent national authorities, the Game Publishing Committee of the China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association, together with member organizations and relevant game companies, jointly initiates the “Online Game Industry Anti-Addiction Self-Regulation Convention,” working together to create an upright and healthy online game industry ecosystem. The following is hereby issued:
1. Resolutely implement management requirements and establish working standards
Game companies should strengthen their political awareness and sense of responsibility, and fully recognize the importance and urgency of strengthening efforts to prevent gaming addiction. They should carefully formulate specific implementation plans and detailed rules, and make every effort to carry out all anti-addiction work. They should establish and implement a system in which the principal person in charge takes responsibility, follow through to completion, and maintain sustained efforts. They should uphold the correct orientation and organize targeted education and training for personnel involved in game planning, development, and operations.
2. Resolutely implement real-name authentication and identify users accurately
Game companies, including mini-game platforms, must fully connect to the National Press and Publication Administration's real-name verification system for preventing addiction to online games. All types of standalone and console games should incorporate anti-addiction settings and parental supervision systems at the same time, and must strictly implement real-name identity authentication at stages such as downloading and purchasing. Companies must resolutely enforce the restrictions on the time windows and duration of online game services provided to minors and on top-up and spending amounts. Game products with minor users should clearly display an age-suitability notice on relevant game interfaces. Companies should actively explore facial recognition and other methods to improve the accuracy of user identification.
3. Resolutely strengthen safety safeguards and resist harmful content
Strictly uphold the minimum standards for content safety and resolutely prohibit unlawful or non-compliant content, including politically harmful content, historical nihilism, obscenity and pornography, and graphic violence and horror. Resolutely resist harmful cultural trends such as money worship, “niangpao” (“effeminate men”), and “danmei” (boys' love). Resolutely oppose harmful tendencies that pursue “money alone” or “traffic alone,” and commit to changing rules and gameplay designs that induce players to become addicted. Content that misleads users or induces spending must not be published. Resolutely resist circumventing regulatory mechanisms to provide services to domestic users through overseas game platforms.
4. Resolutely strengthen platform management and specify concrete requirements
Game companies must establish and improve management mechanisms for game-operation platforms. Game advertising platforms must not push unlawful or non-compliant game content or force game advertisements on users. Game livestreaming platforms must not offer high-value tipping or functions for minors to tip. Game e-commerce platforms must not provide account-rental or trading services to minors in any form. Game coaching platforms should conduct coordinated removal of unlawful or non-compliant information and accounts, and must not provide gaming-companion, boosting, or similar services to minors.
5. Resolutely observe market order and eliminate violations
Game companies must resolutely observe and maintain market order. They should operate game products in accordance with laws and regulations, and violations such as operating games without publication approval are strictly prohibited. The operating entity must not be changed without approval. Companies should establish standards for reviewing moral conduct and must not invite artists who have broken the law or acted unethically to endorse advertisements. They should resolutely resist inducing users to become addicted to games through methods such as using big data to exploit existing customers or harvesting and using private information. They should strengthen copyright protection and resolutely resist plagiarism and copying.
6. Resolutely cooperate with the reporting platform and conduct self-inspection and correction
Game companies should actively cooperate with the national reporting platform for preventing minors' addiction to online games and carry out comprehensive self-inspection and correction as required. They should establish and improve mechanisms for verifying, handling, and responding to reported issues, together with procedures for rectification, and respond promptly to concerns raised by the public.
Implementation requirements
Game companies should strictly observe all provisions of this convention in activities such as game development, production, publishing, operations, promotion, and publicity. They should display the complete convention in prominent locations on company websites and game interfaces, and demonstrate their social responsibility and commitment through practical action.
Initiating organizations
Initiating organization of the self-regulation convention:
Game Publishing Committee of the China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association
Joint initiating organizations:
All council member organizations of the Game Publishing Committee and relevant companies
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