China's top court issues rule on internet operators

Internet platforms should strictly review business licenses of food service providers to ensure they are registered by real-name system. Otherwise, the internet operators will also be held liable together with the food service provider when found harming consumers' rights.

That rule has been written into a guideline on handling cases involving online consumption, which was issued by the Supreme People's Court, China's top court, on Wednesday.

If a food takeaway service provider is discovered harming food safety due to the review loopholes of the internet platform, both parties will face punishment, according to the 20-article guideline, which will take effect on March 15.

Additionally, given that live commerce has been more popular among the public, the legal document also stipulates that livestreaming operators should clarify "who is the real seller of goods" to viewers if they are not related to the retailers.

Otherwise, consumers have the right to ask the platform together with the seller to be held accountable if finding what they buy through live streaming in poor quality or even have worse problems, it added.