China Proposes First Dedicated Law to Combat Cyberbullying

The Cyberspace Administration of China released a 60-article draft law on July 29, 2026, marking the nation's first dedicated legislation to combat cyberbullying. The proposed rules define cyberbullying as sustained online acts, including insults, rumors, hate speech, and doxing, that infringe upon privacy and reputation. The law specifically targets harassment, defamatory information, and AI-enabled abuse such as deepfakes and synthetic text.

The legislation applies to domestic actors and foreign individuals or organizations targeting China. Under the draft, internet service providers must verify users' real identities, implement tools for blocking strangers, and provide "one-click protection" for victims. Platforms are required to build classifiers to detect AI-generated bullying and report cases involving minors, older adults, or people with disabilities to authorities. Non-compliant companies face penalties including website shutdowns, revocation of business licenses, or fines up to 10 million yuan.

Beyond platform regulation, the law establishes a tiered governance framework involving education, public security, and health departments, requiring schools to integrate anti-cyberbullying material into their curricula. Victims may apply to local courts for orders to stop confirmed abuse if providers fail to intervene. The regulator is collecting public comment on the draft until August 28, 2026.