Measures for Labeling AI-Generated Synthetic Content
China · Regulation · National Internet Information Office, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Public Security, National Radio and Television Administration
High impact. A reviewer confirms each change before it is listed here.
Our summary
This regulation requires internet service providers to label content created or synthesized by artificial intelligence with both visible and hidden identifiers. Service providers must add clear markers to text, audio, images, videos and virtual scenes, embed technical metadata in files, and platforms distributing such content must verify and display warnings about synthetic material. Users who distribute AI-generated content must declare and mark it appropriately, while deliberately removing or falsifying such labels is prohibited.
Written by the Index in our own words. It is not legal advice; the official text is the authority.
Inside this policy
Every section of this policy in order. Our notes summarise each one in plain language and do not quote the official text, which is the authority.
Drafted by the Index An automated summary of the official text, not yet reviewed by a person.Reviewed Checked by a person against the official text.
14 sections
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第一条 Legislative basis and purpose
This regulation establishes requirements for marking AI-generated synthetic content in order to promote healthy development of artificial intelligence, protect the lawful rights of citizens and organizations, and safeguard the public interest. It is based on several existing laws and regulations governing network security, algorithmic recommendation, deep synthesis, and generative AI services.
第二条 Scope of application
Network information service providers who operate AI-generated synthetic content marking activities under the conditions specified in three related regulations must comply with this regulation. The regulation applies to these designated service providers and their labeling activities.
第三条 Definitions
AI-generated synthetic content refers to text, images, audio, video, virtual scenes and similar information created or synthesized using AI technology. Labeling of such content takes two forms: explicit markers that users can clearly perceive through text, sound or graphics, and implicit markers using technical means embedded in file data that are not obviously visible to users.
第四条 Requirements for explicit labeling
Service providers offering specific generation and synthesis services must add clear markers to synthetic content through various methods suited to different content types: text, audio, images, video, virtual scenes and other formats. When users download, copy or export synthetic content, the files must retain the required explicit markers.
第五条 Requirements for implicit labeling
Service providers must embed implicit markers in file metadata containing information about content attributes, the provider's name or code, and content identification numbers. Digital watermarks and similar implicit identification methods are encouraged as additional measures to identify synthetic content.
第六条 Content distribution service requirements
Platforms distributing network content must check file metadata for implicit markers and add visible warnings near published content if it is confirmed as, suspected to be, or user-declared as synthetic. These platforms must also update metadata with distribution information and provide users with tools to declare whether their published content contains synthetic elements.
第七条 Application platform review requirements
When app distribution platforms review applications for release, they must require developers to disclose whether their apps provide AI content generation services. If they do, platforms must verify the developers' compliance with synthetic content labeling requirements.
第八条 User agreement requirements
Service providers must include in their user agreements clear explanations of the methods and styles for marking synthetic content, and prompt users to carefully read and understand the labeling management requirements.
第九条 Unlabeled content provision
Service providers may supply synthetic content without explicit markers to users who request it, provided the user agreement specifies the user's labeling obligations and responsibility for use. Service providers must retain logs of recipients and related information for at least six months.
第十条 User responsibilities and prohibited conduct
Users distributing synthetic content must actively declare it and use the provider's labeling tools. Any party is prohibited from maliciously removing, altering, forging or concealing required markers, providing tools for such conduct, or using improper labeling to harm others' legitimate interests.
第十一条 Compliance with applicable legal requirements
Service providers carrying out labeling activities must also comply with requirements set out in relevant laws, administrative regulations, departmental rules and mandatory national standards.
第十二条 Information provision and data sharing
When fulfilling algorithmic filing and security assessment procedures, service providers must furnish materials concerning synthetic content labels under this regulation and strengthen sharing of labeling information to support prevention and enforcement against related unlawful activities.
第十三条 Enforcement and penalties
Authorities responsible for internet information, telecommunications, public security and broadcasting and television handle violations of this regulation according to their respective responsibilities and applicable laws, administrative regulations and departmental rules.
第十四条 Entry into force
This regulation takes effect on September 1, 2025.
Controls
What this policy requires, forbids, grants or penalises, one control at a time and in our own words. Each control links to the official text, which is the authority. This is not legal advice.
Drafted by the Index Drafted automatically from the official text, not yet reviewed by a person.Reviewed Checked by a person against the official text.
Themes covered 5 of 35
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Risk and scope 0 of 4
- Risk classification, not covered
- Prohibited practices, not covered
- Risk management system, not covered
- Impact assessment, not covered
Data and privacy 0 of 4
- Data governance and quality, not covered
- Data subject rights and consent, not covered
- Cross-border data transfer, not covered
- Copyright and training data, not covered
Transparency and records 3 of 4
- Technical documentation, not covered
Technical safeguards 0 of 4
- Human oversight, not covered
- Accuracy, robustness and cybersecurity, not covered
- Bias and non-discrimination, not covered
- Testing and evaluation, not covered
Assurance and lifecycle 0 of 4
- Conformity assessment and certification, not covered
- Registration and notification, not covered
- Incident and breach reporting, not covered
- Post-market monitoring and corrective action, not covered
Rights and protected groups 0 of 4
- Automated decision-making rights, not covered
- Children and vulnerable groups, not covered
- Biometric identification and surveillance, not covered
- Whistleblowing, complaints and redress, not covered
Roles and organisation 1 of 6
- General purpose and foundation models, not covered
- Accountability and governance roles, not covered
- Training and AI literacy, not covered
- Public sector use and procurement, not covered
- Innovation support and sandboxes, not covered
Enforcement and sectors 1 of 5
- Sector rules: health, not covered
- Sector rules: finance and insurance, not covered
- Sector rules: employment, not covered
- Sector rules: education, not covered
The full list of controls could not be loaded, so only the first 28 are shown.
第二条 1 control
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Network information service providers meeting the conditions in three related regulations must comply with this regulation's requirements for labeling AI-generated synthetic content.
第二条
第四条 6 controls
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Service providers must add explicit markers to text by inserting prompts or symbols at the start, end or middle, or by adding prominent prompts near the text or in the interface.
第四条 - ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Service providers must add explicit markers to audio by inserting voice or rhythm prompts at appropriate positions, or by adding prominent prompts in the interface.
第四条 - ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Service providers must add prominent markers to images at appropriate locations.
第四条 - ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Service providers must add prominent markers to video at the start frame and around the playback area, and may add them at the end and middle sections.
第四条 - ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Service providers must add prominent markers when presenting virtual scenes at the start, and may add them during ongoing service, tailored to the application's characteristics.
第四条 - ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Service providers must ensure that files retain required explicit markers when users download, copy or export synthetic content.
第四条
第五条 2 controls
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Service providers must add implicit markers in file metadata of synthetic content containing details about content attributes, the provider's name or code, and content identification numbers.
第五条 - Applies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Service providers should add digital watermarks or similar implicit identification methods to synthetic content as additional measures to identify it.
第五条
第六条 5 controls
- ObligationApplies to: DistributorDrafted by the Index
Content distribution platforms must verify whether file metadata contains implicit markers and display a prominent warning near published content that is confirmed as synthetic.
第六条 - ObligationApplies to: DistributorDrafted by the Index
Content distribution platforms must display a prominent warning near published content when users declare it contains synthetic elements but metadata lacks implicit markers.
第六条 - ObligationApplies to: DistributorDrafted by the Index
Content distribution platforms must add a prominent warning near content they detect as suspected synthetic based on visible markers or other generation traces, even if metadata lacks implicit markers and users did not declare it.
第六条 - ObligationApplies to: DistributorDrafted by the Index
Content distribution platforms must provide users with tools to declare whether their published content contains synthetic elements.
第六条 - ObligationApplies to: DistributorDrafted by the Index
Content distribution platforms must update file metadata with distribution details including platform name or code and content identification numbers when content is confirmed, suspected or declared as synthetic.
第六条
第七条 2 controls
- ObligationApplies to: DistributorDrafted by the Index
Application distribution platforms must require developers to disclose in their applications' review whether they provide AI content generation services.
第七条 - ObligationApplies to: DistributorDrafted by the Index
Application distribution platforms must verify that developers of apps offering AI content generation services comply with synthetic content labeling requirements.
第七条
第八条 2 controls
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Service providers must include in user agreements clear explanations of the methods and styles for marking synthetic content.
第八条 - ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Service providers must prompt users to read and understand the synthetic content labeling requirements in their agreements.
第八条
第九条 2 controls
- Applies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Service providers may supply synthetic content without explicit markers if the user agreement specifies the user's labeling obligations and responsibility for use.
第九条 - ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Service providers must retain logs of recipients and related information for at least six months.
第九条
第十条 4 controls
- ObligationApplies to: AnyoneDrafted by the Index
Users distributing synthetic content must actively declare it and use the provider's labeling tools.
第十条 - ProhibitionApplies to: AnyoneDrafted by the Index
Any party is prohibited from maliciously removing, altering, forging or concealing required markers.
第十条 - ProhibitionApplies to: AnyoneDrafted by the Index
Any party is prohibited from providing tools or services that enable others to maliciously remove, alter, forge or conceal required markers.
第十条 - ProhibitionApplies to: AnyoneDrafted by the Index
Any party is prohibited from using improper labeling to harm others' legitimate interests.
第十条
第十一条 1 control
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Service providers carrying out labeling activities must comply with applicable laws, administrative regulations, departmental rules and mandatory national standards.
第十一条
第十二条 2 controls
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Service providers must furnish materials concerning synthetic content labels when fulfilling algorithmic filing and security assessment procedures.
第十二条 - ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Service providers should strengthen sharing of labeling information to support prevention and enforcement against unlawful activities.
第十二条
第十三条 1 control
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
Authorities responsible for internet information, telecommunications, public security and broadcasting handle violations according to their respective responsibilities and applicable laws.
第十三条
Change history
No changes recorded since we began monitoring this policy.