Crackdown hits hundreds of WeChat accounts

Hundreds of WeChat instant messaging accounts have been closed or disabled by parent company Tencent in the wake of increased government regulation.

The cleanup targets mass-publication accounts rather than those used for personal communication. Accounts masquerading as belonging to public organizations and media groups, as well as ones used to spread rumors, are among ones that were closed.

Also affected were accounts that publish illegal advertisements, disturb ethnic unity, commit libel, violate privacy or contain material that is lewd, pornographic or violent, the State Internet Information Office said in a statement released on Friday.