Chinese Video Platforms Remove Nearly 14,000 AI-Modified Videos in August 2026
In August 2026, major Chinese video platforms removed nearly 14,000 non-compliant "AI-modified" videos and penalized over 30 user accounts as part of an ongoing regulatory enforcement campaign by the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA). Participating platforms include Douyin, Kuaishou, WeChat, Weibo, Bilibili, Xiaohongshu, and Baidu. This regulatory action highlights China's strict, ongoing oversight of generative AI content and unauthorized intellectual property manipulation. It directly impacts creators using generative AI to remix existing television shows, historic figures, and classic literature without authorization. Baidu led the clean-up with 3,424 deleted videos, followed by Douyin (2,897), Kuaishou (2,824), WeChat (2,633), Xiaohongshu (1,348 videos, 25 penalized accounts), Bilibili (over 800), and Weibo (37). Enforcement focused on AI distortions of China's Four Great Classical Novels, historical or heroic figures, and harmful Elsagate-style "cult animations" targeting minors.
## BACKGROUND
"AI-modified" (AI魔改) content refers to using generative AI tools to alter, re-voice, or transform existing film, television, and media footage into novel or surreal videos. Following an initial one-month special crackdown initiated by Chinese regulators in January 2026, platform enforcement was transitioned into a long-term normalized governance framework starting February 1, 2026.