Measures for the Labelling of AI-Generated Synthetic Content
Version and sources (verifiable)
Item Content Promulgated 14 March 2025 by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security and the National Radio and Television Administration Effective 1 September 2025 Structure 14 articles Currently effective Yes (as of 2026-09-22) Chinese original https://www.cac.gov.cn/2025-03/14/c_1743654684782215.htm English version No official English translation published. This English text is a translation by our editorial team, cross-checked article by article against the official Chinese text; it is not an official translation and is for reference only. Verification Retrieved 2026-09-22; 14 articles, correspondence with the Chinese text verified one-for-one, no gaps
Article 1 These Measures are formulated in accordance with the Cybersecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Provisions on the Administration of Algorithmic Recommendations in Internet Information Services, the Provisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet Information Services, the Interim Measures for the Administration of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services and other laws, administrative regulations and departmental rules, for the purposes of promoting the sound development of artificial intelligence, regulating the labelling of AI-generated synthetic content, protecting the lawful rights and interests of citizens, legal persons and other organisations, and safeguarding the public interest.
Article 2 These Measures apply to labelling activities for AI-generated synthetic content carried out by providers of internet information services (hereinafter “service providers”) that fall within the circumstances provided for in the Provisions on the Administration of Algorithmic Recommendations in Internet Information Services, the Provisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet Information Services, and the Interim Measures for the Administration of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services.
Article 3 AI-generated synthetic content means information such as text, images, audio, video and virtual scenes generated or synthesised by means of artificial intelligence technology.
Labelling of AI-generated synthetic content includes explicit labels and implicit labels.
An explicit label means a label added to the generated synthetic content or to the interface of an interactive scenario, presented in the form of text, sound, graphics or otherwise, and clearly perceivable by users.
An implicit label means a label added to the file data of the generated synthetic content by technical measures, and not readily perceivable by users.
Article 4 Where the generative synthetic services provided by a service provider fall within the circumstances provided for in Article 17, paragraph 1 of the Provisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet Information Services, the service provider shall add explicit labels to the generated synthetic content in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) add a text prompt, a generic symbol prompt or a similar label at the beginning, the end or an appropriate position in the middle of the text, or add a conspicuous prompt label in the interactive scenario interface or around the text;
(2) add a voice prompt, an audio rhythm prompt or a similar label at the beginning, the end or an appropriate position in the middle of the audio, or add a conspicuous prompt label in the interactive scenario interface;
(3) add a conspicuous prompt label at an appropriate position on the image;
(4) add a conspicuous prompt label at an appropriate position on the opening frame of the video and around the video playback area, and may add a conspicuous prompt label at appropriate positions at the end and in the middle of the video;
(5) when presenting a virtual scene, add a conspicuous prompt label at an appropriate position on the opening frame, and may add a conspicuous prompt label at an appropriate position during the continued provision of the virtual scene service;
(6) in other generative synthetic service scenarios, add a conspicuous prompt label according to the characteristics of the application concerned.
Where a service provider provides functions such as downloading, copying and exporting generated synthetic content, it shall ensure that the file contains explicit labels meeting the requirements.
Article 5 A service provider shall, in accordance with Article 16 of the Provisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet Information Services, add implicit labels in the file metadata of the generated synthetic content; implicit labels shall include the attribute information of the generated synthetic content, the name or code of the service provider, the content number and other information on the elements of production.
Service providers are encouraged to add implicit labels in the form of digital watermarks and the like to generated synthetic content.
File metadata means descriptive information embedded in the file header in a specific encoding format, used to record information such as the source, attributes and purpose of the file.
Article 6 Service providers that provide online information content dissemination services shall take the following measures to regulate the dissemination of generated synthetic content:
(1) verify whether the file metadata contains an implicit label; where the file metadata clearly indicates that the content is generated synthetic content, add, in an appropriate manner, a conspicuous prompt label around the published content to clearly remind the public that the content is generated synthetic content;
(2) where no implicit label is verified in the file metadata but the user declares the content to be generated synthetic content, add, in an appropriate manner, a conspicuous prompt label around the published content to remind the public that the content may be generated synthetic content;
(3) where no implicit label is verified in the file metadata and the user has not declared the content to be generated synthetic content, but the service provider providing online information content dissemination services detects an explicit label or other traces of generation or synthesis, identify the content as suspected generated synthetic content and add, in an appropriate manner, a conspicuous prompt label around the published content to remind the public that the content is suspected to be generated synthetic content;
(4) provide the necessary labelling functions and remind users to voluntarily declare whether the content they publish contains generated synthetic content.
Where any of the circumstances in items (1) to (3) of the preceding paragraph applies, the attribute information of the generated synthetic content, the name or code of the dissemination platform, the content number and other information on dissemination elements shall be added to the file metadata.
Article 7 When reviewing an internet application for listing or going online, an internet application distribution platform shall require the provider of the internet application service to state whether it provides AI-generated synthetic services. Where the provider of the internet application service provides AI-generated synthetic services, the internet application distribution platform shall verify the materials relating to the labelling of its generated synthetic content.
Article 8 A service provider shall clearly explain in its user service agreement the normative content of the labelling of generated synthetic content, such as the method and style of labelling, and shall prompt users to carefully read and understand the relevant labelling management requirements.
Article 9 Where a user applies to a service provider for generated synthetic content that does not carry explicit labels, the service provider may, after making clear the user’s labelling obligations and responsibilities for use through the user agreement, provide generated synthetic content without explicit labels, and shall retain the relevant logs, including information on the recipient of the provision, for not less than six months in accordance with law.
Article 10 Where a user publishes generated synthetic content using an online information content dissemination service, the user shall voluntarily declare it and use the labelling functions provided by the service provider to label it.
No organisation or individual may maliciously delete, tamper with, forge or conceal the labels of generated synthetic content provided for in these Measures, may provide tools or services for others to carry out the aforesaid malicious acts, or may harm the lawful rights and interests of others through improper labelling means.
Article 11 Where a service provider carries out labelling activities, it shall also comply with the requirements of relevant laws, administrative regulations, departmental rules and mandatory national standards.
Article 12 When completing formalities such as algorithm filing and security assessment, a service provider shall, in accordance with these Measures, provide materials relating to the labelling of generated synthetic content, strengthen the sharing of labelling information, and provide support and assistance for the prevention and combating of relevant illegal and criminal activities.
Article 13 Where these Measures are violated, the relevant competent departments for cyberspace administration, telecommunications, public security and radio and television shall, in accordance with their duties, deal with the matter in accordance with the provisions of relevant laws, administrative regulations and departmental rules.
Article 14 These Measures shall come into force on 1 September 2025.