Crackdown sees internet cleansed of 7.1 million pieces of illegal information

China's top internet watchdog said on Wednesday that it has removed about 7.1 million pieces of harmful and illegal information from cyberspace since launching a crackdown this month.

The Cyberspace Administration has also removed more than 308,000 illegal online accounts, shut down 733 problematic websites, and cleaned up 9,382 improper smartphone applications, it said in a statement.

The administration began the six-month crackdown on Jan 3 to maintain order on the internet and prevent illegal or harmful information that was previously removed from returning.

The crackdown is targeting 12 kinds of problematic information, including rumors and that related to pornography, violence, terrorism or gambling on websites, messaging tools on smartphone apps or livestreaming platforms.