China's regulator launches crackdown on AI-generated modified video content
China's broadcast regulator announced a one-month crackdown starting January 2026 targeting AI-generated videos that modify classic television shows, animations, and literary adaptations through crude alterations. The regulator cited concerns about copyright infringement, cultural distortion, and potential harms to minors' cultural understanding.
What happened
China's National Radio and Television Administration announced on 31 December 2025 a one-month special enforcement campaign starting 1 January 2026 to address the spread of AI-modified video content.
The regulator stated that some online accounts have been misusing AI tools to make "destructive alterations" and "vulgar remakes" of classic television shows, animated content, and works based on the Four Great Classics of Chinese literature, as well as historical, revolutionary, and heroic-themed productions.
Reported impact
The modified videos allegedly distort the spiritual essence of original works, disrupt online transmission order, facilitate copyright infringement, damage industry development, and interfere with minors' formation of correct cultural awareness and perception of reality.
The regulator identified specific categories of prohibited content: videos that severely contradict original works' spiritual core and character images; content depicting graphic violence and obscenity that promotes wrong values; and material that misappropriates or distorts Chinese culture, creating confusion about historical facts and undermining cultural identity.
Index analysis
The enforcement campaign targets videos based on Four Great Classics works, historical dramas, revolutionary-themed productions, and heroic figures, as well as modified animated content depicting characters familiar to minors.
Network video platforms are required to strengthen content review, remove violating material, and sanction accounts responsible for widespread misconduct.
Governance controls
The National Radio and Television Administration deployed regulatory action requiring online video platforms to implement content moderation responsibilities and remove flagged content.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.