China closes 100,000 social media accounts spreading fake news

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has launched a special campaign to clean up online information, focusing on social media accounts that spread "fake news" and impersonate state-controlled media.

The regulator said it had removed 107,000 accounts of news outlets and news anchors along with 835,000 pieces of fake information since April 6.

The cleanup comes as China and countries around the world grapple with an onslaught of fake news online.

CAC said its review found accounts disguising themselves as authoritative media by falsifying news studio backgrounds and imitating professional news anchors, using artificial intelligence (AI) to mislead the public.

Fake news often involves hot topics such as social incidents and international current affairs, according to a statement the CAC posted on its website Monday.

"The CAC will guide online platforms... to protect the legitimate rights and interests of internet users to obtain authentic and authoritative news," the regulator said, while encouraging users to report fake news for action.

The Chinese government regularly takes steps to scrub the internet of material and language it deems inappropriate, offensive, and a threat to the public and businesses. The CAC recently announced it would crack down on malicious online comments that damage the reputation of businesses and entrepreneurs.

Mai Anh (according to Reuters)