Ministry cracks down on online rumormongers

China's public security authorities took strict measures against online influencers and multi-channel network organizations involved in rumormongering and hype last year, apprehending more than 47,000 individuals, according to a report by China Media Group.

The Ministry of Public Security said in a report on Wednesday that public security authorities nationwide carried out the "Clean Internet 2024" campaign, targeting various illegal online activities. Throughout the year, more than 119,000 cases of online illegal activities were investigated.

Efforts focused on curbing the activities of online influencers and multi-channel network organizations spreading rumors and misinformation. Authorities investigated over 42,000 cases of online rumors, apprehended more than 47,000 individuals involved, shut down over 330,000 illegal accounts and removed more than 2.52 million pieces of false information from the internet.

In April, the ministry highlighted 10 cases of online rumor crackdowns, including a widely circulated video that triggered a nationwide search.

The video, uploaded in February by a blogger surnamed Xu from Zhejiang province, depicted a Parisian restaurant worker returning homework purportedly belonging to "Qin Lang from Class Eight". The video led to a social media frenzy as netizens tried to locate the fictional child.

Police discovered that Xu and her company director, surnamed Xue, had scripted the video and staged the scene using generic homework booklets purchased online. Both were subjected to administrative penalties and required to issue public apologies. Xu's social media accounts, which had millions of followers, were suspended.

Public security authorities also targeted online insults, defamation and privacy invasions, investigating over 8,000 cases of cyberbullying. They cracked down on more than 1,000 cases involving "online troll farms" engaged in spreading rumors, extortion through public opinion and paid post deletions.

Authorities dismantled underground black markets for personal data, arresting over 12,000 suspects in more than 7,000 cases involving the theft and sale of citizens' personal data. These efforts effectively safeguarded citizens' legitimate rights and information security, according to the report.

Over 500,000 pieces of illegal and harmful information related to gore, violence, pornography and terrorism were removed. Authorities also strengthened measures to address minors planning suicide or self-harm through online platforms, using comprehensive monitoring and early warning systems.