China’s internet censors are taking down top influencers for not being good enough socialists
- Luo Changping’s Weibo account, with 2 million followers, was closed in October after he was arrested for posting ‘insults’ about Chinese soldiers portrayed in a movie
- Top influencers, even if they are individuals or private firms, must abide by the law and ‘vigorously promote core socialist values’, the internet watchdog said
China’s internet watchdog shut down or suspended more than 20,000 influential social media accounts in 2021 – some with tens of millions of followers amassed over many years – for reasons that ranged from “misuse” to not promoting “core socialist” values.
The ruthless crackdown is part of Beijing’s efforts to achieve absolute control of all online content amid ongoing tensions with the West and ahead of a sensitive year for Chinese politics.
In another case, two popular live-streaming stars – Zhu Chenhui, known as Xueli Cherie online, and Lin Shanshan – were called out by internet watchdog the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), for alleged tax evasion. Although their online activity only involved selling clothes and cosmetics to fans, the regulator said they had to be removed from China’s internet.
A statement issued by the CAC said it ordered internet platforms to clamp down on those who “misused their online influence and circulate misleading content”.
“Top accounts are not only a personal social tool, but also carry the nature of media and the function of mobilising the society,” CAC said in the statement.
