Cyber security Photo: IC

More than 4.3 million items of information related to minors have been removed or blocked, over 130,000 such accounts have been handled, in addition to the closure of more than 2,000 websites and platforms with minors involved, since China's cyberspace watchdog launched a special campaign in mid-July to clean up illegal and harmful content targeting minors in cyberspace and strongly safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, the watchdog disclosed on its official WeChat account on Wednesday. 

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) also revealed its crackdown on "toxic videos" that harm minors' physical and mental health. These "toxic videos" include livestreams and short videos featuring minors that spread harmful messages or encourage dangerous behaviors.

According to CAC, some short videos have added violent elements into classic animations, such as "the bloody version of My Little Pony" and "Peppa Pig attacked by a crazy old granny." Others use vulgar and coarse language to alter children's songs to convey harmful values. There were also some videos presenting minors in vulgar ways in marketing content.

The cyberspace watchdog has directed major platforms to improve content review standards related to minors, and strictly dealt with over 21,000 related accounts and shut down more than 32,000 livestreams. 

The cyberspace watchdog also conducted rectification on a variety of issues including doxxing, a malicious act of publicly disclosing others' personal information to incite online violence. Minors have also become the target of doxxing, as their names, school information, and social media accounts, were revealed, inciting internet users to launch attacks and insults.

The cyberspace watchdogs in localities such as Beijing, Central China's Henan Province and Southwest China's Guizhou Province have shut down over 1,500 topics and forums related to these illegal activities. 

Additionally, the top cyberspace watchdog has also strictly cracked down on online malicious criminal activities such as cyber obscenity. Some outlaws took advantage of short-video platforms to conduct frequent interaction with underage users, tricking them into taking private photos for the purpose of cyber obscenity.

The cyberspace watchdogs in North China's Tianjin and South China's Guangdong Province shut down over 1,000 online groups and worked with local public security authorities to handle over 70 cases. 

Furthermore, the top cyberspace watchdog also tackled products involving minors that were sold online, with over 42,000 products removed from the online stores and over 1,400 online shops closed down or fined. Besides, some 900 mobile applications were also removed from the app store for violation against minors. 

The CAC vows to deepen the effectiveness of the special campaign, urging websites and platforms to fulfill their primary responsibility for the protection of minors in the cyberspace. For platforms and accounts with serious issues and inadequate rectification, strict legal measures will be taken and penalties will be imposed. 

Global Times