NCC warns of stiff fines for helping Chinese OTT firmsIQIYI: The Chinese firm was forced to close in 2020 after Taiwan barred companies from selling Chinese OTT services or acting as their agentsBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterCompanies or individuals that help Chinese over-the-top (OTT) operator iQiyi solicit commercials from Taiwan could be fined up to NT$5 million (US$180,532) for contravening the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (臺灣地區與大陸地區人民關係條例), the National Communications Commission (NCC) said yesterday. The Chinese operator was forced to close its office in Taiwan after the Ministry of Economic Affairs in 2020 amended the “List of the Prohibited Commercial Engagement Practices in the Taiwan Area,” which bars companies or people from selling services of Chinese OTT operators or acting as their agents in Taiwan. It also clearly states that OTT services are not open to funding from China. Photo: Yang Mien-chieh, Taipei TimesDespite the ban, several local advertising firms have reportedly continued to place commercials on iQiyi and other Chinese streaming platforms. The article also states that failure to terminate or rectify the situation by the expiration of the aforementioned time limit can be punished with consecutive fines, the NCC spokesman added.

Source: Taipei Times January 24, 2022 16:58 UTC