China’s network regulator orders social media to close 60 accounts

Editor’s note: A version of this post first appeared on Yicai Global.

China’s network regulator has ordered several mainstream websites and social media platforms to shut down 60 paparazzi social media accounts that disseminate celebrities’ private information.

It also includes the social media account of ‘China’s first paparazzo Zhuo Wei,’ who has more than 7 million followers on his Sina Weibo account.

China’s internet information regulator contacted Weibo, Toutiao, Tencent, Baidu and many other mainstream sites, ordering them to tauten the management of their accounts.

The Cybersecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China, in effect since June 1, prohibits individuals or organizations from using the Internet to infringe others’ reputations, privacy, intellectual property rights and other lawful rights and interests, and directs network operators to strengthen their management of information their users post. When information barred from release or transmission by laws and administrative regulations comes to light, it must immediately be impounded, and the administrator must take measures to delete it, prevent its dissemination, maintain relevant records, and report offenses to relevant authorities. Websites must also bolster their platform account management to curb the crass trend of hounding celebrities and plying speculative sensationalism.