China's Cyberspace Administration has announced the deletion of 1.4 million social media posts as part of a two-month investigation into various issues, including misinformation, illegal profiteering, and impersonation of state officials.&nbsp;

The probe, which was part of a broader "rectification" campaign, resulted in the closure of 67,000 social media accounts and the removal of hundreds of thousands of posts between March 10 and May 22.

<h2>China's clean-up campaign and 'self-media'</h2>

China has been implementing measures since 2021 to "clean" its cyberspace, targeting billions of social media accounts in order to enhance control over online platforms.&nbsp;

The recent crackdown as per a Reuters report specifically focused on popular Chinese social media apps such as WeChat, Douyin, and Weibo, with a particular emphasis on "self-media" accounts — characterised as those that publish news and information, but are not government-operated or state-approved.

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<h2>The accounts impacted by this rectification campaign</h2>

Out of the 67,000 permanently closed accounts, nearly 8,000 were taken down for spreading fake news, rumours, and harmful information.

Approximately 930,000 other accounts faced less severe penalties, ranging from losing all followers to suspension or cancellation of profit-making privileges.

Additionally, the regulator conducted a separate campaign that closed over 100,000 accounts, targeting those allegedly misrepresenting news anchors and media agencies to combat the rise of fake news facilitated by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

The Cyberspace Administration of China revealed that around 13,000 counterfeit military accounts were targeted during the recent campaign, featuring names like "Chinese Red Army Command," "Chinese Anti-terrorist Force," and "Strategic Missile Force."&nbsp;

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Furthermore, 25,000 accounts were targeted for impersonating public institutions such as disease prevention and control centres and state-run research institutes.

Moreover, almost 187,000 accounts faced repercussions for impersonating news media organizations, while over 430,000 were flagged for providing professional advice or educational services without the necessary qualifications.&nbsp;

A further 45,000 accounts were closed for engaging in activities such as "hyping hot issues, clout-chasing and illegal monetisation."

<h2>Citizen participation</h2>

The Cyberspace Administration said that it had actively collaborated with public security and market supervision departments to&nbsp;tackle illegal "self-media."&nbsp;

It encouraged citizens to&nbsp;participate in monitoring and reporting such accounts.

"At the same time, (we) also call on the majority of netizens to actively participate in monitoring and reporting (illegal 'self-media'), provide clues ... and jointly maintain a clean cyberspace."

The Chinese government, as per Reuters, frequently detains individuals' and censors' accounts that share or publish factual information deemed sensitive or critical of the Communist Party, the government, or the military, especially when such content goes viral.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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China's Cyberspace Administration has announced the deletion of 1.4 million social media posts as part of a two-month investigation into various issues, including misinformation, illegal profiteering, and impersonation of state officials.

China's Cyberspace Administration has announced the deletion of 1.4 million social media posts as part of a two-month investigation into various issues, including misinformation, illegal profiteering, and impersonation of state officials. The probe, which was part of a broader "rectification" campaign, resulted in the closure of 67,000 social media accounts and the removal of hundreds of thousands of posts between March 10 and May 22. China's clean-up campaign and 'self-media' China has been implementing measures since 2021 to "clean" its cyberspace, targeting billions of social media accounts in order to enhance control over online platforms. The recent crackdown as per a Reuters report specifically focused on popular Chinese social media apps such as WeChat, Douyin, and Weibo, with a particular emphasis on "self-media" accounts — characterised as those that publish news and information, but are not government-operated or state-approved. Also read | No joke: China's backlash against stand-up stirs fear of comedy clampdown The accounts impacted by this rectification campaign Out of the 67,000 permanently closed accounts, nearly 8,000 were taken down for spreading fake news, rumours, and harmful information. Approximately 930,000 other accounts faced less severe penalties, ranging from losing all followers to suspension or cancellation of profit-making privileges. Additionally, the regulator conducted a separate campaign that closed over 100,000 accounts, targeting those allegedly misrepresenting news anchors and media agencies to combat the rise of fake news facilitated by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The Cyberspace Administration of China revealed that around 13,000 counterfeit military accounts were targeted during the recent campaign, featuring names like "Chinese Red Army Command," "Chinese Anti-terrorist Force," and "Strategic Missile Force." Also read | Pope Francis returns to duties following day off due to fever and exhaustion Furthermore, 25,000 accounts were targeted for impersonating public institutions such as disease prevention and control centres and state-run research institutes. Moreover, almost 187,000 accounts faced repercussions for impersonating news media organizations, while over 430,000 were flagged for providing professional advice or educational services without the necessary qualifications. A further 45,000 accounts were closed for engaging in activities such as "hyping hot issues, clout-chasing and illegal monetisation." Citizen participation The Cyberspace Administration said that it had actively collaborated with public security and market supervision departments to tackle illegal "self-media." It encouraged citizens to participate in monitoring and reporting such accounts. "At the same time, (we) also call on the majority of netizens to actively participate in monitoring and reporting (illegal 'self-media'), provide clues ... and jointly maintain a clean cyberspace." The Chinese government, as per Reuters, frequently detains individuals' and censors' accounts that share or publish factual information deemed sensitive or critical of the Communist Party, the government, or the military, especially when such content goes viral. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

67,000 accounts shut, 1.4 million social media posts deleted in China's latest crackdown on free speech

Chinese court on Tuesday jailed the former chief internet regulator, Lu Wei, for 14 years, having found the once <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-missing-interpol-chief-accepted-bribes-170167">influential official guilty </a>of taking bribes worth almost $5 million.

Lu, one of the numerous senior officials caught up in President Xi Jinping's sweeping anti-graft campaign, had already been expelled from the ruling Communist Party, which tightly controls the courts.

At the height of his influence, Lu, a colourful and often brash official by Chinese standards, was seen as emblematic of pervasive internet controls, although his downfall has not brought a reversal of those policies.

The court, in the eastern city of Ningbo, said in a statement that Lu had accepted the verdict and would not appeal.

Lu, 59, pleaded guilty in October after prosecutors had accused him of abusing his power in various government posts over 15 years, including as the head of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).

Between 2002 and 2017, he received illicit assets from government units or individuals worth more than $4.77 million, the court said in the statement.

He had "shown repentance" and "actively returned" most of the money and property, it added.

Reuters could not reach Lu in jail to seek comment, and it is unclear who acts as his lawyer.

Lu worked his way up through China's official Xinhua news agency before becoming head of propaganda in Beijing and then moving to internet work in 2013. He became a deputy propaganda minister after being replaced at the internet regulator.

Under Lu, the regulator did not carry out Xi's instructions in a timely or resolute fashion, China's anti-corruption watchdog has said.

The government blocks websites it deems a challenge to party rule or a threat to stability, from foreign social media platforms and news outlets to sites such as Google's main search engine and Gmail service.

Organisers of China's first World Internet Conference in 2014, set up under Lu to promote Beijing's vision of internet governance, irked foreign tech firms by seeking their agreement on a last-minute declaration on "internet sovereignty".

Tech industry representatives declined to sign, and rights groups condemned it as a bid to undermine internet freedom.

When Lu visited Facebook Inc's U.S. campus in 2014, he was greeted in Mandarin by Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of the social networking site that has long been blocked in China, a Chinese government website has said.

Lu had vociferously defended China's internet curbs.

In 2015, he told reporters: "Indeed, we do not welcome those that make money off China, occupy China's market, even as they slander China's people. These kinds of websites I definitely will not allow in my house."

Chinese court on Tuesday jailed the former chief internet regulator, Lu Wei, for 14 years, having found the once influential official guilty of taking bribes worth almost $5 million.

Chinese court on Tuesday jailed the former chief internet regulator, Lu Wei, for 14 years, having found the once influential official guilty of taking bribes worth almost $5 million. Lu, one of the numerous senior officials caught up in President Xi Jinping's sweeping anti-graft campaign, had already been expelled from the ruling Communist Party, which tightly controls the courts. At the height of his influence, Lu, a colourful and often brash official by Chinese standards, was seen as emblematic of pervasive internet controls, although his downfall has not brought a reversal of those policies. The court, in the eastern city of Ningbo, said in a statement that Lu had accepted the verdict and would not appeal. Lu, 59, pleaded guilty in October after prosecutors had accused him of abusing his power in various government posts over 15 years, including as the head of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). Between 2002 and 2017, he received illicit assets from government units or individuals worth more than $4.77 million, the court said in the statement. He had "shown repentance" and "actively returned" most of the money and property, it added. Reuters could not reach Lu in jail to seek comment, and it is unclear who acts as his lawyer. Lu worked his way up through China's official Xinhua news agency before becoming head of propaganda in Beijing and then moving to internet work in 2013. He became a deputy propaganda minister after being replaced at the internet regulator. Under Lu, the regulator did not carry out Xi's instructions in a timely or resolute fashion, China's anti-corruption watchdog has said. The government blocks websites it deems a challenge to party rule or a threat to stability, from foreign social media platforms and news outlets to sites such as Google's main search engine and Gmail service. Organisers of China's first World Internet Conference in 2014, set up under Lu to promote Beijing's vision of internet governance, irked foreign tech firms by seeking their agreement on a last-minute declaration on "internet sovereignty". Tech industry representatives declined to sign, and rights groups condemned it as a bid to undermine internet freedom. When Lu visited Facebook Inc's U.S. campus in 2014, he was greeted in Mandarin by Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of the social networking site that has long been blocked in China, a Chinese government website has said. Lu had vociferously defended China's internet curbs. In 2015, he told reporters: "Indeed, we do not welcome those that make money off China, occupy China's market, even as they slander China's people. These kinds of websites I definitely will not allow in my house."

China jails former internet regulator Lu Wei for 14 years over graft

China&#39;s internet regulator will launch a crackdown on the reporting of news gathered from social media, as part of what the government calls a campaign against fake news and the spreading of rumours. 
 
In a statement late on Sunday, the Cyberspace Administration of China said that online media cannot report any news taken from social media sites without approval.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;It is forbidden to use hearsay to create news or use conjecture and imagination to distort the facts,&quot; it said. 
 
&quot;All levels of the cyberspace administration must earnestly fulfil their management responsibility for internet content, strengthen supervision and investigation, severely probe and handle fake and unfactual news,&quot; the regulator added. 
 
It listed a number of fake news stories it said had recently circulated on the internet, including one about a bus fire. 
 
The Chinese government already exercises widespread controls over the internet and has sought to codify that policy in law. 
 
Officials say internet restrictions, including the blocking of popular foreign sites like Google and Facebook, are needed to ensure security in the face of rising threats, such as terrorism, and stop the spread of damaging rumours. 
 
Foreign governments and business groups have pointed to restrictions on the internet as a broader trade issue. 
 
(Reuters) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

The Chinese government already exercises widespread controls over the internet and has sought to codify that policy in law

China's internet regulator will launch a crackdown on the reporting of news gathered from social media, as part of what the government calls a campaign against fake news and the spreading of rumours. In a statement late on Sunday, the Cyberspace Administration of China said that online media cannot report any news taken from social media sites without approval. "It is forbidden to use hearsay to create news or use conjecture and imagination to distort the facts," it said. "All levels of the cyberspace administration must earnestly fulfil their management responsibility for internet content, strengthen supervision and investigation, severely probe and handle fake and unfactual news," the regulator added. It listed a number of fake news stories it said had recently circulated on the internet, including one about a bus fire. The Chinese government already exercises widespread controls over the internet and has sought to codify that policy in law. Officials say internet restrictions, including the blocking of popular foreign sites like Google and Facebook, are needed to ensure security in the face of rising threats, such as terrorism, and stop the spread of damaging rumours. Foreign governments and business groups have pointed to restrictions on the internet as a broader trade issue. (Reuters)

China steps up campaign against spread of fake news on social media