China's Impersonation And Misinformation Crackdown: 67K Accounts, 1.4M Posts Vanished

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A digital illustration of crackdown on misinformation

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) recently completed a two-month probe targeting social media activities, resulting in the deletion of over 1.4M posts and 67K accounts. The investigation focused on issues such as impersonation of government officials and the spread of misinformation. "Self-media" accounts, which are independent news and information sources not owned by the state, were particularly scrutinized, with popular apps like WeChat, Douyin, and Weibo being closely monitored.

As part of the crackdown, the CAC specifically targeted fake military accounts (around 13K identified) and accounts impersonating public institutions (approximately 25K). Punishments were also meted out to 187K accounts for impersonating news media businesses and 430K accounts for providing professional advice or educational services without the necessary qualifications.

This extensive social media cleanup campaign by the CAC follows similar actions in the past. Accoding to CAC, it eliminated 54.3M pieces of illegal and "bad information," in addition to acting against 420 mobile apps and 25K illegal websites in 2022. 

 

ThoughtsUnboxed acknowledges the stance of the CAC, which reflects actions observed in the United States, Sweden, France, India, and other Western countries. We note the de-platforming of former President Donald J. Trump and his followers from various social media platforms over allegations of spreading misinformation and fake news. In addition, we draw a parallel between these crackdowns and the concept of historical witch hunts. This comparison highlights the pervasive nature of the crackdown and the potential risks associated with misinformation and impersonation. By targeting accounts spreading misinformation and impersonating government officials, the crackdown echoes the pursuit and elimination of perceived threats in witch hunts. This parallel serves as a reminder of the challenges in balancing online integrity and freedom of expression. As the CAC continues its efforts to combat online falsehoods, it is crucial to critically evaluate the impact and consequences of these measures on individuals and society. Our utmost concern lies with the well-being of those affected by such actions. 

 

Sources:

Reuters

Cyberspace Administration of China 

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