Chinese authorities have shut down 4,000 websites and online accounts as part of a three-month campaign against ‘improper values’ and ‘harmful content,’ the BBC reports.
The content included infringements of copyright and material that spread “improper values, vulgarity or obscenity”, according to a statement by state-owned agency Xinhua. According to the BBC, the move also targeted platforms offering free books.
This is not the first time the country’s authorities, which tightly control the internet, target websites and content. Lottery apps and material containing pornographic or violent content have also been targeted in the past.
In a campaign started in May 2018, Chinese authorities tackled 120 violations and ordered 230 firms to rectify irregularities. According to China’s National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications, more than 147,000 pieces of harmful information were removed by the end of August, Reuters reports.
Illegal online activities range from pornography, gambling, religious proselytizing and “spreading rumors”.