Authorities launch campaign against online disaster rumors during flood season

Chinese authorities have launched a nationwide campaign to remove illegal and harmful online content related to disasters and accidents during the flood season, while police continue to crack down on the fabrication and dissemination of online rumors about floods and other disasters.

The campaign comes as flooding affects several parts of China following extreme rainfall, prompting authorities to step up efforts to prevent false information from fueling panic and disrupting flood control and rescue operations.

The Cyberspace Administration of China and the Ministry of Emergency Management recently issued a joint notice targeting misleading disaster footage, recycled news reports, fabricated data, fake official announcements, AI-generated content and disaster-related fraud.

The notice highlighted increasingly common tactics used to make disaster-related rumors appear credible. Some accounts edit footage from overseas or other parts of China, remove watermarks and alter headlines or subtitles before presenting it as a local disaster unfolding in real time.

Others recycle images and videos of disasters that occurred years or even decades ago. By removing the original dates and repackaging the material as breaking news, they can quickly stir public anxiety during periods of heavy rain and flooding.

Authorities will also target posts that fabricate or exaggerate casualty figures, property damage and economic losses, as well as those that falsify disaster severity levels or invent secondary disasters. Such claims can interfere with emergency response efforts by confusing the public and diverting attention from verified information.

Particularly serious cases involve fabricated warnings about dam failures, levee breaches or chemical plant leaks. Some publishers impersonate government agencies or mainstream media outlets by misusing their names and logos or imitating official documents to issue false announcements.

The campaign will also focus on AI-generated content, manipulated footage, staged scenes and scams exploiting public concern about disasters. Fraudsters sometimes circulate fake donation links or assistance QR codes, exposing users to financial losses and personal information leaks.

Local cyberspace authorities have been instructed to investigate both common violations and more concealed or evolving forms of harmful content. They have also been told to urge online platforms to strengthen content review and account management mechanisms.

Meanwhile, emergency management authorities will enhance coordination with relevant departments to ensure false information is identified and addressed promptly.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Public Security's Cybersecurity Bureau released details of 20 cases investigated under the Clean Net 2026 campaign. The cases involved the use of AI tools to generate fake videos, the repackaging of flood footage from other regions and the fabrication of disaster-related claims to attract online traffic.

In one case, a 45-year-old man surnamed Chen from Chengde, Hebei province, created an AI-generated video claiming that heavy rain had caused the ground to collapse in Kuancheng county, sending vehicles into the water. He posted the video on WeChat to attract attention and gain followers. Police said it triggered widespread online discussion, caused panic among some local residents and disrupted flood prevention and disaster relief efforts. Chen received an administrative penalty.

In another case, a 53-year-old woman surnamed Li from Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, falsely claimed that a stadium was filled with bodies and that the information was being suppressed. She linked the allegations to local flood control and disaster relief efforts and posted them on WeChat to attract attention and gain followers. Police said the post misled many internet users, sparked widespread discussion and disrupted flood control and disaster relief operations. Li received an administrative penalty.

Police said cyberspace is not beyond the reach of the law and pledged to continue investigating illegal and criminal activities involving disaster-related rumors. They urged internet users to verify information, act responsibly online and refrain from sharing unverified claims.