CHINA / SOCIETY
Social media accounts of fake government organizations and zombie fans among main targets of China's top cyberspace regulator campaign
Published: Oct 20, 2021 01:34 AM
Mobile app Illustration: VCG

Illustration: VCG



The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), China's top cyberspace regulator, held a working meeting on Monday on the "Clear and Bright" campaign and stressed certain accounts as major targets, including the accounts of banned users and "zombie followers" of celebrities. 

Owners of illegal accounts that were shut down according to the law and platform rules are not allowed to open new accounts with the same or similar names. The owner should be banned from registering for a new account for a period based on the severity of the violations, according to the meeting of the CAC. 

The CAC also noted that regulations should be enhanced to oversee accounts whose names, file pictures, or bio information contain illegal contents or pretend to be political or military organs, authorities or news organizations, in addition to those spreading information on economy, education, health and law without relevant qualifications. 

"Zombie followers" of celebrities and accounts that hype up public emotions by commenting on social incidents, spreading obscene contents and distorting national policies are targets of the campaign.  

The CAC also stressed the need for real-name registration on internet games and urged for a crackdown on accounts that sell or lease game accounts to minors. 

China's Clear and Bright campaign this year has involved a wide range of platforms and cyberspace entities with measures that targeted irrational  behavior from celebrity fans and a clear ban on financial self-media accounts with illegal activities.

Global Times