Rumors are targeted in crackdown on messaging

Authorities have launched a crackdown against the spreading of rumors and other harmful content through instant messaging services such as WeChat.

The crackdown was launched on Tuesday by the State Internet Information Office, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Public Security.

It targets the spreading of rumors and other information harmful to national security and the public interest through public accounts and chat groups on instant messaging platforms, the office said in a statement.