China tightens rules for search engines

The new rules are expected to prohibit banned content in various formats on the internet

Chinese authorities will require Baidu and other search engines to report banned content and verify advertisers' qualifications in its latest attempt at internet regulation.

Under rules to take effect August 1, search engines operating in the country will be prohibited from providing banned information in various formats including links, summaries, cached pages, associative words, related searches and relevant recommendations, the Cyberspace Administration of China said in a statement. They will also be required to report websites and applications that contain prohibited content when spotted, the regulator said.

Baidu, China's biggest search engine, has been criticised recently for misleading users with search results. The Cyberspace Administration launched an investigation earlier this year after the death of Wei Zexi, a 21-year-old computer science major, who sought out a controversial treatment advertised among search results. Baidu said it would restrict the number of sponsored posts to 30 per cent of a results page and establish a 1 billion yuan ($151 million) fund to fight fraud after the death of the student.

Baidu will comply fully with relevant laws and regulations as outlined by the Cyberspace Administration of China and work closely with government agencies, Internet users and the community to uphold a healthy Internet environment, the company said in an e-mailed statement.

Search engines that offer paid results will need to verify advertisers' qualifications, specify the ratio of paid results and distinguish between natural search results and advertisements, the administration said in the statement.