Chinese authorities sanctioned eight internet users for allegedly publishing misleading content about floods in Nepal. The posts included unconfirmed victim numbers, manipulated images and old news presented as current information.
China reinforced control over natural disaster-related content in July. This measure comes in a context of increased surveillance over information published on Chinese social media.
The authorities did not specify what sanctions were applied to the eight internet users, but this type of measure generally includes fines, removal of posts and, in more serious cases, detentions. This action is part of a broader trend of tight control of online information in China.
