Internet regulators in China released new guidelines on Wednesday that ban sexual and vulgar contents on WeChat.
WeChat is a popular mobile text and voice messaging app developed by Tencent, and is available on multiple operating software. About 84 percent, or 368 million, of its users are based in China, but the service is available in 100 countries. People can use the service to do video calls, share and view photos, create and share private albums and send messages.
With millions of active users, the Chinese government decided to release guidelines that would ban users from sharing or viewing contents described as "sexual" or "vulgar" such as nude photos, erotic animation, and stories related to sex, abuse, and other detrimental information in WeChat, according to Reuters.
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) will be the implementing body that will enact punishments to violators. First offenders will be locked out from their accounts for seven days. Violators will be banned from accessing WeChat after four incidents.
This latest campaign is part of China's initiative to clean up the Internet and strengthen its Great Firewall, at least for its people. The Chinese government is strictly implementing the guidelines to keep its people in check, prevent mental damage that sexual content might bring, and stop further spread of gossip, rumors, and false information.
China issued a ruling last year that banned nearly everything related to sex, drugs and violence for all content streamed online. The ruling banned scenes of one-night stands, extramarital affairs, partner-swapping and excessive physical contact. It also ruled out scenes of sexual abuse, flirtation, rape, incest, necrophilia, prostitution, sexual perversion and masturbation. Other scenes struck down by the ruling included those showing murder, gore, suicide, kidnapping, drug abuse, gambling, ghostly scenes or "excessive horror." Subtitles and headlines with any reference to sex or nudity were also prohibited.
