China's online watchdog has recently announced the deletion of 1.4 million social media posts as part of a two-month investigation into various online violations, including misinformation, illegal profiteering, and impersonation of state officials, Reuters reported.
The move is part of the country's ongoing efforts to "clean" cyberspace and increase online content control.
China Moves to Remove Disinformation Channels
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) revealed in a statement that it had taken down 66,600 social media accounts and removed hundreds of thousands of posts between March 10 and May 22.
Out of the 67,000 permanently closed accounts, nearly 8,000 were removed for spreading fake news, rumors, and harmful information, according to the CAC. An additional 930,000 accounts faced lesser penalties, from losing followers to temporarily suspending or canceling profit-making privileges.
The administration also said it issued over a hundred public announcements regarding the recent operations.
In a separate campaign, the regulator shut down over 100,000 accounts allegedly impersonating news anchors and media agencies. This action was taken to combat the rise of online fake news, often facilitated by advancements in AI technology.
The campaign aims to rectify " self-media " issues," a term used to describe accounts that disseminate news and information that are not government-controlled or state-approved.
Why China Is Tightening Control of Online Platforms
The CAC issues regulations, grants licenses, and imposes penalties in accordance with established rules for government agencies. It is China's official cyber delegate to international bodies.
Reuters tells us that China has been actively targeting billions of social media accounts since 2021 to tighten control over online platforms.
By purging content and accounts, the government seeks to prevent the dissemination of sensitive or critical information about the Communist Party, the government, or the military, especially when it has the potential to go viral.
The CAC's latest crackdown also targeted approximately 13,000 counterfeit military accounts, including those with names like "Chinese Red Army Command," "Chinese Anti-terrorist Force," and "Strategic Missile Force."
Moreover, 25,000 accounts were flagged for impersonating public institutions such as disease control centers and state-run research institutes.
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Impersonation of news media businesses led to punishment for around 187,000 accounts, while more than 430,000 accounts were accused of offering professional advice or educational services without the necessary qualifications.
The CAC emphasized its collaboration with public security and market supervision agencies in delivering a significant blow to illegal "self media." The agency also called on internet users to actively monitor and report illegal activities, encouraging them to provide information to help maintain clean cyberspace.
China's control over online content has drawn criticism from advocates of free speech and human rights. The strict regulations surrounding social media and the suppression of dissenting voices highlight the government's commitment to maintaining political stability and control over public narratives.
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