China’s cyberspace regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), has deleted 1.4 million social media posts and closed 67,000 social media accounts in a two-month crackdown on misinformation, illegal profiteering, impersonation of state officials, and other “pronounced problems”. The campaign, which ran from March 10 to May 22, is part of China’s ongoing effort to “clean” its cyberspace and make it easier for authorities to control.
The Crackdown on “Self Media”
The latest crackdown targeted accounts on popular Chinese social media apps including WeChat, Douyin, and Weibo that fall under the category of “self media,” which broadly refers to accounts that publish news and information but are not government-run or state-approved. This move is part of China’s broader effort to control the narrative and suppress any information that is critical of the Communist Party, the government, or the military.
Of the 67,000 accounts that were permanently closed, nearly 8,000 were taken down for “spreading fake news, rumors, and harmful information.” Around 930,000 other accounts received less severe punishments, ranging from being removed of all followers to the suspension or cancellation of profit-making privileges.
The Fight Against Fake News and Misinformation
In a separate campaign, the regulator recently closed over 100,000 accounts that allegedly misrepresented news anchors and media agencies to counter the rise of online fake news coverage aided by AI technologies. The CAC’s latest campaign also targeted almost 13,000 counterfeit military accounts, with names such as “Chinese Red Army Command”, “Chinese Anti-terrorist Force” and “Strategic Missile Force”. Around 25,000 other accounts were targeted for impersonating public institutions, such as disease and prevention control centers and state-run research institutes.
Punishments
Almost 187,000 were punished for impersonating news media businesses, while over 430,000 allegedly offered professional advice or educational services without having relevant professional qualifications. Around 45,000 accounts were closed for “hyping hot issues, clout-chasing, and illegal monetization.” The regulator said it had “actively coordinated with public security, market supervision and other departments, to deliver a heavy blow and rectify illegal ‘self-media’.”
China’s cyberspace regulator has been stepping up its efforts to control the narrative and suppress any information that is critical of the Communist Party, the government, or the military. The latest crackdown on “self media” is part of this broader effort, with the regulator deleting 1.4 million social media posts and closing 67,000 social media accounts. The punishments range from being removed of all followers to the suspension or cancellation of profit-making privileges. The regulator has also targeted accounts that allegedly misrepresented news anchors and media agencies, counterfeit military accounts, and accounts that impersonated public institutions. The crackdown is part of China’s ongoing campaign to “clean” its cyberspace and make it easier for authorities to control.
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