The Administrative Measures on Internet-based Information Services were promulgated on 25 Sept. 2009, and amended in 2011. The latest revision entered into force on 8 Jan. 2011.
There are 27 articles in total. The Measures aim to supervise the services of information provision to Internet users through the Internet.
The key points of the Measures include:
Internet-based information services are divided into services of a commercial nature and services of a non-commercial nature; the former refers to the paid services which provide information to or create web pages for online users through the Internet, while the latter refers to the services free of charge which provide open and shared information to Internet users through the Internet.
When providing commercial Internet-based information services, the operator shall obtain the Value-added Telecommunication Business License issued by the competent authority in advance.
When providing non-commercial Internet-based information services, the operator shall go through the filing procedures with the same department mentioned above in advance.
If the operator fails to obtain the aforesaid business license or go through the filing procedures before providing relevant services, its website may be shut down.