China bans spending by teens in new curbs on livestreaming

Hosts and gift givers must provide real name, after accusations of abuse

20201123 China livestream

A livestream event based in southern China: Internet celebrities and employees tout a company's products in a popular new format for reaching customers.  © AP

NIKKI SUN, Nikkei staff writer

HONG KONG -- China's media watchdog on Monday ordered that hosts and gift givers on livestreaming platforms register their real names and banned teenagers from gifting altogether, limiting the main revenue source for the multibillion-dollar online industry.

The National Radio and Television Administration has tightened regulations on livestreaming, which has become a popular channel for merchants to sell to customers during the coronavirus pandemic.

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