CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROL
The State Internet Information Office (SIIO) passed the new rule on August 7, 2014, that regulates the instant messaging on-line activities of China's 5.8 million public accounts on subscription-based mobile apps such as Tencent's mobile text and voice messaging service WeChat. The new regulation takes immediate effect. Registrants of public accounts are obliged to register with real names and reviewed by service providers before being qualified to release information. SIIO spokesman Jiang Jun said "A few people are using the platforms to disseminate information related to terrorism, violence and pornography as well as slander and rumors. Such behaviors have raised bitter feelings among netizens." Media controls have been tightened under Xi Jinping and regulatory powers have been consolidated under the Internet Security and Informatization Leading Group, and the SIIO and CCP CC Propaganda Department have been further strengthened.
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