China is actively controlling information about major floods in the country, through the "Clean Internet 2026" program. The Beijing government removes posts and punishes those who share data about the catastrophe, in an attempt to limit the spread of unauthorized information.
Affected families are left without news about their relatives, facing an information blackout that makes it difficult to obtain help and support. The lack of official communication leaves many people isolated and unaware of the status of their loved ones.
Researchers refer to this practice as a "persistent" policy of information control, which has been repeated in emergency situations. The "Clean Internet 2026" program serves as a framework for these actions of censorship and repression of online freedom of expression.
