Influencer Regulation India: Should India Follow China’s Law Requiring Degrees for Online Experts?

Starting October 25, 2025, China’s Cyberspace Administration (CAC) introduced a groundbreaking rule that restricts social media influencers from discussing professional topics like health, law, education, or finance unless they hold formal qualifications or licenses.

Major platforms including Douyin, Bilibili, and Weibo are now required to verify credentials and attach visible “source” or disclaimer labels — especially for AI-generated or dramatized content.

Beijing claims the move aims to combat misinformation and ensure credibility in online advice, while critics argue it could tighten state control and reduce free expression on social platforms.

Why India Should Pay Attention

India’s digital landscape mirrors China’s in reach and influence. With hundreds of millions of users on YouTube, Instagram, and other apps, influencers routinely advise followers on health cures, diet plans, financial investments, legal tips, and exam preparation — often without formal expertise.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, unverified health claims went viral, promoting pseudo-remedies and delaying medical treatment for many. Similar risks persist in finance and law, where poor guidance can lead to losses or legal trouble.

This growing problem has sparked debate: Should India require influencers in sensitive sectors to hold verified qualifications, like China?

Existing Crackdowns: From Finfluencers to Legal Advisors

India’s regulators have already taken selective action.
In 2024, SEBI banned several financial influencers (finfluencers) for promoting misleading stock tips and failing to disclose sponsorships. Reports show that 63% of finfluencers hide partnerships, and only 2% are SEBI-registered despite giving market advice.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has also warned legal influencers to avoid using social media as an advertising platform or promising guaranteed results — a sign that regulation is already emerging.

Would a Degree Rule Work in India?

A China-style credential rule could bring accountability and transparency, especially in high-stakes domains.
Potential benefits include:

1. More reliable health and financial guidance

2. Reduced misinformation and consumer harm

3. Better quality educational and professional content

However, critics warn of risks:

• Freedom of expression may suffer if rules are overly strict.

• Many creators share lived experiences, not formal expertise.

• Enforcing qualification checks across millions of influencers could be logistically impossible.

• Selective enforcement may create political bias or censorship.

What a Balanced Model Could Look Like

Experts suggest India could implement a voluntary credential disclosure system rather than outright bans.
Such a model could include:

• Mandatory disclaimers like “Not a certified professional”

• Verified badges for qualified experts

• Tiered rules: stricter for health, law, finance, lenient for lifestyle or entertainment content

• Collaboration between regulators and social platforms to ensure compliance

This hybrid approach could protect viewers without stifling India’s creator economy, which employs millions and drives entrepreneurship nationwide.

The Bigger Picture

China’s move underscores the global challenge of balancing free speech with accountability in the digital era.
While India faces similar issues of misinformation and unverified advice, a context-sensitive approach rooted in transparency, education, and self-regulation may serve the nation better than state-imposed credential mandates.

Ultimately, India’s focus should be on empowering digital literacy, not restricting creative freedom — ensuring that influence remains credible without silencing authentic voices.