Ministry acts against 34,000 illegal online accounts

China has handled over 4,800 cases related to online rumors and shut down about 34,000 illegal accounts during a nationwide campaign from April to July this year, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

Li Tong, an official with the ministry, said more than 6,300 people involved in spreading rumors have been prosecuted.

The 100-day campaign aimed to tackle the illegal activities of spreading rumors and false information on the internet, especially related to heated topics, Li said at a news conference in Beijing on Friday.

Public security authorities have taken strong measures this year to crack down on serious crimes, including rumormongering and defamation, abusive behavior, and privacy infringement, he said.

A total of 110 cases of serious cyber crimes have been investigated and handled, resulting in criminal sanctions against 112 people. Administrative penalties were given to 96 individuals involved while 472 faced criticism and education.

Furthermore, major websites and online platforms were urged to ban over 500 accounts to effectively curb crimes regarding online rumors.

However, new vicious rumors have emerged recently such as "terrorists attacked a subway somewhere" or "a doctor was stabbed to death in a Beijing hospital", severely disrupting social order, Li said.

Given the severe condition, public security authorities nationwide will launch a special campaign for the whole year in 2024 to comprehensively fight and crack down online rumors, creating a cleaner and more orderly cyberspace environment, the ministry said.