China launches crackdown on social media content

(Photo: REUTERS/Thomas Peter)

China’s top internet regulator has announced a two-month crackdown on social media, targeting content described as “malicious incitement of conflict” and “negative outlooks on life, such as world-weariness.”

The Cyberspace Administration of China said the campaign requires social media companies to strengthen content moderation and prevent posts deemed subversive, vulgar, pornographic, or otherwise harmful.

The announcement follows penalties issued earlier this month against three major digital platforms, which authorities said had failed to meet their content management obligations.