Shanghai Holds Quad-Party Forum to Crack Down on Online Chaos in Auto Industry

On July 2, the Cyberspace Administration of Shanghai Municipal Committee jointly convened a four-party symposium with the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, and the Cybersecurity Corps of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau, bringing together government agencies, industry associations, automakers, and online platforms to advance a special rectification campaign targeting online information dissemination in the automotive sector. Representatives from major platforms—including Xiaohongshu, Bilibili, Hupu, Douyin (TikTok), and Baidu—outlined their measures to strengthen content moderation and address enterprise-related infringing information in the automotive domain. The Shanghai Automotive Parts Industry Association, along with automakers such as SAIC Motor, BYD, Tesla, NIO, XPeng, Li Auto, and Lexus, offered recommendations on combating industry malpractices and safeguarding corporate rights. The meeting emphasized that during the special rectification period, online platforms must prioritize addressing four types of problematic content: maliciously pessimistic market commentary, distorted policy interpretations, non-compliant marketing and traffic diversion, and incitement of irrational consumer维权 (rights protection actions). Platforms are required to impose penalties—including account suspensions or closures—on non-compliant self-media accounts in accordance with the law. Industry associations and automakers were urged to enhance self-discipline, refrain from disparaging competitors or provoking conflicts, and reject vulgar, false, or exaggerated marketing practices, working collectively to foster a healthy and orderly online environment for the automotive industry.