On July 13, the Cyber Security Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security released 25 typical illegal and criminal cases involving online rumors about floods and disasters. These cases occurred in multiple regions including Guangdong, Guangxi, Zhejiang and Hubei. Some netizens deliberately fabricated false flood and disaster-related information for personal gain, which seriously disrupted flood control and disaster relief efforts and triggered negative public impacts. Cyber security divisions of public security organs took swift and stringent enforcement action: four persons were placed under criminal detention and 23 received administrative penalties, while all relevant online accounts were blocked and disposed of by internet platforms.

Cyber police remind the public that the internet is not a lawless zone. All netizens should standardize their online speech and conduct. Do not repost, splice or use AI tools to fabricate false flood and disaster-related information merely to gain online views and attention, so as to jointly foster a clean and sound cyberspace.(Outlook New Era)