Censors close WeChat accounts for ‘spreading distorted historical information’
Internet censors ban 133 accounts on popular messaging app for sharing distorted historical information about China and the Communist Party
The mainland's top internet regulator has shut down more than 130 WeChat accounts that purportedly spread lies about the history of China and its ruling Communist Party.
The Cyberspace Administration said the pages, many of which claimed to reveal historical secrets, blatantly spread "distorted historical information".
The authority said it had acted on a tip-off and closed 133 accounts on the popular messaging application after investigations, including one called "This is not History". An attempt to access "This is not History" yesterday led to a page warning that it had been banned for violating rules.
But some third-party websites continued to carry links to its posts, which included celebrity gossip, pranks on well-known mainland figures and criticism of Chinese politics.
Some posts that likely crossed the authority's line included a commentary on how patriotism was a mere slogan for corrupt officials, many of whom had sent their family members overseas. Another post slammed state-owned firms for milking the public and being mismanaged.
Among the accounts closed was also one that belonged to a 37-year-old Shanghai man.