SOURCE / COMPANIES
Chinese social media platforms block accounts that disseminate abusive comments
Published: Feb 09, 2022 04:57 PM
Illustration: VCG

Illustration: VCG


Chinese social media platforms have blocked accounts that denigrate, insult, attack or spread disinformation about athletes at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, while urging everyone to enjoy the Games in a measured and sensible way, with more moral and encouraging comments, and avoid using aggressive or abusive words.

Short-video platform Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, said on Wednesday that the platform has banned 331 accounts that are involved in acts like denigration and insult against athletes, or spreading rumors through their comments or private messages, which have adversely affected the community's enjoyment of the Games.

Douyin intercepted and removed 6,780 abusive videos and comments through its process of public opinion monitoring, according to a statement Douyin released on its official WeChat account.

Weibo, the Twitter-like social media platform, also banned 850 accounts from publishing or commenting for as long as 30 days for their violation of platform rules. A total of 41,473 illegal micro-blogs were removed.

"While we enjoy the super sports event, we should make sensible and objective comments through civilized communication," Weibo said in a statement.

 "We will continue to intensify our efforts to deal with abusive comments. For those who slander and assault specific athletes out of their dissatisfaction with the results of the Games, or disseminate false and harmful information, or involve in other violations, once found, they will be severely punished," said Douyin.

Both platforms called on users to treat each competition with a measured and inclusive attitude, and give the warmest applause and highest respect to every athlete for their best efforts. They also called on netizens to not satirize or attack the athletes because of occasional mistakes.

"Mistakes and pressure are always part of sports, and we all want the best for athletes, but sometimes they don't perform at their best. Athletes who come to this Games are amazing. Every moment of athletes' performance reflects countless days and nights of hard work and efforts, which deserve our respect," the company said.

Global Times