Ukraine invasion: ByteDance-owned Douyin shuts down 3,500 accounts in China to stomp out provocative posts, fake information

Douyin, operator of the Chinese version of hit short video-sharing app TikTok, said it has taken down more than 3,500 videos and 12,100 comments related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as the war has become a hot topic online in the world’s largest internet market.

ByteDance-owned Douyin said it is continuing to investigate violations “such as vulgar ridicule, content that makes fun of the war, incitement to hype false information and unfriendly comments”, the app operator said in a statement on Monday, citing provocative posts like “type ‘Ukraine’ to see explosions effect”.

Its action comes after China’s major social media platforms announced on Saturday their initiatives to clamp down on misinformation and other inappropriate content amid local internet users’ increased interest in the war in Ukraine.

Videos, such as those calling for the “capture of beautiful Ukrainian women”, spread inappropriate values and harmed the platform’s atmosphere, Douyin said on its WeChat account on Saturday.

ByteDance, the world’s most valuable unicorn, on Monday said it had no further comment on the issue.

Efforts being taken by Douyin, Tencent Holdings’ WeChat and microblogging service Weibo reflect Beijing’s call for caution over online comments about the military conflict, which could stoke anger towards Chinese citizens abroad.