Photo: Screenshot from CCTV website
China’s Cyber Security Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security on Monday disclosed typical cases of spreading rumors online, including impersonating police officers, defaming medical professionals, and spreading false information about the so-called “Myanmar fraud compound,” China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Monday.
In one case, an internet user surnamed Huang from southern China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region used AI-generated content to impersonate the image of a public security official in a promotional video for commercial gain. The investigation revealed that Hwang used AI tools to create fake interview videos of “persons” in police uniforms in an attempt to attract online traffic and promote his business. Mr. Huang published the content and distributed it online.
Mr. Huang’s actions included not only fabricating and disseminating false online information, but also misusing the public image of police officers, seriously damaging the credibility of public security authorities, disrupting order in cyberspace, and negatively impacting society. Local public security authorities imposed administrative sanctions on Mr. Huang.
In two other cases, two Internet users from Hainan province in southern China and Sichuan province in southwestern China were each given administrative penalties for spreading fabricated claims about organ harvesting.
A netizen surnamed Chen from Wenchang City, Hainan Province, fabricated a rumor that “people are pretending to be medical workers and kidnapping individuals on the street, harvesting their organs, and selling them” to attract attention and increase online traffic.
Another netizen named Ji from Panzhihua City, Sichuan Province, posted a photo on a short video platform of medical workers providing emergency treatment to a patient, with the caption: “Organ harvesting has already begun.” This shocking claim distorted the reality for health care workers who save lives. Added to this were malicious comments that tarnished the image of medical professionals, which attracted widespread attention online and had a serious negative impact on society.
In another case, cybersecurity authorities in Wanzhou District, Chongqing City, southwest China, found that an internet user surnamed Yu had frequently posted a series of so-called “Myanmar scam facilities” videos on online platforms with sensational captions such as “despair on the premises” and “small dark room on the premises”, causing widespread attention and discussion among netizens and negatively impacting society.
An investigation revealed that Yu had arbitrarily edited and spliced unrelated online video material and added fabricated captions to create false information about the “Myanmar compound” and disrupt public safety. Local police imposed an administrative penalty on Mr. Yoo.
Cyber Police warned that cyberspace is not beyond the reach of the law and that fabricating or disseminating false information related to casualties, road safety, and food security could easily cause public panic, disrupt social order, and cross legal boundaries. Public security authorities have announced that they will strictly crack down on illegal fabrications and dissemination of false information in accordance with the law. Authorities called on the public not to create, spread or believe rumors and to help maintain a clean and orderly online environment.
Global Times
