Chinese social media companies have launched a new crackdown on user content, targeting posts that flaunt personal wealth or financial luxury.
In a statement posted online on Wednesday, Weibo said it had been implementing special moderation efforts this month against “content that emphasizes undesirable values,” including content. “Flag off wealth and worship money”.
The statement said posts showing off luxury cars and expensive real estate were targeted. Posts that appeared to boast about wealth and the freedom that comes with being rich were also removed.
Other social media companies such as Tencent, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu posted similar statements.
A statement on Weibo said the crackdown was part of China’s campaign to create a “civilized, healthy and harmonious socio-ecological environment.” It encouraged users to create or share high-quality, truthful, positive, value-oriented content on the platform instead, further creating a “good community atmosphere with upward mobility and goodwill.” .
Douyin said he deleted 4,701 messages and 11 accounts from May 1 to May 7. According to Chinese media, Xiaohongshu announced that it had deleted 4,273 “illegal” posts and closed 383 accounts in the past two weeks, while Weibo said it had deleted more than 1,100 pieces of content. cover.
This stricter approach appears to be part of a nationwide campaign by Chinese authorities.Purifying the Internet’s Cultural Environment” started in 2016.
Despite the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to achieve “common prosperity,” the gap between the rich and the poor is widening.
According to data released by China’s National Bureau of Statistics, Beijing’s income inequality in 2023 will reach its highest level since data collection began in 1985. The share of the top 10% of China’s national income has increased from 27% in 1978 to the present. According to , in 2015 it was 41%, close to the US’s 45% and ahead of his 32% in France. Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions.
Policies and crackdowns on social behavior deemed unacceptable by the ruling Chinese Communist Party are also being seen offline.
In September 2023, the Chinese government revised the law to ban comments, clothing, and symbols that “hurt national sentiments.” Sports authorities have announced a ban on new tattoos for national soccer team members in 2022, and advised players with existing tattoos to remove or cover them.
In August 2020, the Chinese government launched Operation Empty Plate, a campaign to eliminate food and drink waste and encourage frugality. And in 2018, the government announced “comprehensive reforms” to the wedding industry to end “vulgar wedding practices” such as expensive wedding gifts, lavish ceremonies and increasingly expensive bride price demands. I asked for it.
In 2022, China’s National Radio and Television Administration caused a stir when it announced that it was determined to crack down on plastic surgery and “effeminate” aesthetics on television.
