On 18 September 2026, the Cyberspace Administration of China (国家网信办) issued a notice seeking public comment on the 《国务院关于保障未成年人健康安全使用网络的规定（征求意见稿）》. source The proposed rules would impose "minor mode" obligations on network service providers, smart terminal product manufacturers and application distribution platforms, and prohibit specific services such as stranger social networking and live-streaming publishing for children under 16. source
Who is affected
The draft directly affects network service providers, smart terminal product manufacturers and application distribution platform service providers in China. source Businesses in the manufacturing, artificial-intelligence and facial-recognition sectors that supply technologies for smart terminals, as well as organisations processing minors’ personal information, should also treat the proposal as relevant to their compliance planning.
What to do
Review your product and service lines to determine whether they fall within the scope of the proposed rule as a network service, smart terminal or application distribution platform.
Audit supply-chain and data-processing arrangements involving minors’ personal information to assess readiness for the proposed "minor mode" requirements.
Submit comments to the Cyberspace Administration of China by 17 October 2026 via email to weibao@cac.gov.cn or by post to the CAC Network Rule of Law Bureau, 11 Chegongzhuang Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100044, marking the envelope "未成年人健康安全使用网络征求意见". source
Evaluate whether AI-enabled or facial-recognition features in connected devices could trigger additional compliance obligations once the rule is finalised.
Key dates
2026-09-18: The CAC published the notice and the draft 《国务院关于保障未成年人健康安全使用网络的规定（征求意见稿）》. source
2026-10-17: Deadline for public comments on the draft. source