Weibo partners with Autonavi for "V Traffic." (Photo : Reuters)
After 50 websites and social media accounts were shut down last week by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), 133 WeChat accounts were taken offline this week, according to state media reports published on Tuesday.
The CAC stated that "distorting history" was the primary reason for the action.
Tencent Holdings Ltd., which owns the popular app and is the nation's biggest social networking entity, refused to speak with reporters in the wake of the announcement.
However, a CAC representative explained to the media that the deleted accounts "were against laws and regulations," "disobeyed socialist core values" and "severely disturbed the online order."
Some of the accounts were uncovered through reports made by members of the public, who used the state-run report center's hotline or website, both of which can be accessed on a 24-hour basis. Some of the complaints from the public reported that the offending accounts claimed they were "uncovering the truth."
As part of the CAC announcement, an official urged WeChat users to follow the "seven bottom lines." Laws and regulations, national interests, social morality, and the legitimate rights and interests of citizens are the key components of the government guideline. Organizations or individuals operate public accounts on WeChat and deliver content to subscribers.
The CAC also reaffirmed its commitment to the regulation of online information, which will be reinforced by a draft regulation on network security that will be submitted for review in February.
According to the People's Daily, the proposal will focus more intently on the security and content of online products. Furthermore, the draft seeks to prevent the illegal collection or storage of users' personal information.
If the draft is passed, Chinese authorities will prevent the sale of products that fail to adhere to official guidelines.
