Douyin Set To Ban Excessive Filters; Live Streamers May Face Penalties or Permanent Bans

Douyin, the Chinese counterpart of TikTok, has reportedly introduced a new ban aimed at forcing live streamers to present a more authentic version of themselves.

According to multiple viral posts, starting January 1, live stream hosts will no longer be allowed to use excessive beauty effects and filters, distort their body proportions, or engage in suggestive actions or language during broadcasts.

The new rule is said to be based on a July 2025 management guideline, though Douyin’s customer service has reportedly not yet received official notice of the updated ban.

The intent, according to circulating reports, is to improve content quality by cracking down on misleading visuals created by heavy beautification and to tighten oversight of inappropriate behaviour on live streams.

Once enforced, violators may face penalties ranging from reduced traffic to stream interruptions, and in severe cases, permanent bans.

Following the news, netizens immediately questioned how the rule might affect streamers such as Feng Ye Jie Jie of Douyin group SK Moon Lake 217 (SK月亮湖217), whose heavily edited visuals have long been a talking point online.

However, there are those who support the ban, with some saying that streamers who make money through excessive beautification are “basically committing fraud”, and that it’s time for live streams to “become more realistic”.

Others also joked that while the ban might cause streamers who depend on filters to get views, the make-up industry is poised for a boom.

Photos: 婷的武器库(1号)/ Douyin, 女相师 /Weibo