China will punish people for ‘liking’ social media posts that are ‘illegal’

Internet users in China could face consequences for liking posts which the government deem to be illegal or harmful, leading fears that the China are set to ramp up their control over social media.

China’s internet watchdog plans to increase its regulation of the internet as authorities intensify their crackdown on those who are using it as a platform to speak out about government policies amid growing public anger against the country’s zero Covid restrictions.

CNN reported that the new rules are expected to be rolled out by December 15th, as part of a new set of guidelines published by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) earlier this month.

The new rules have been noticed on social media in recently and will take effect just weeks after a rare show dissent started sweeping the country. Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets in multiple Chinese cities, demanding an end to the country’s zero Covid restrictions.

According to CNN, the new regulations state that “likes” of public posts must be regulated, along with other types of comments. Public accounts must also actively vet every comment under their posts. However, the rules don’t specify what is illegal or harmful.

“Liking something that is illegal shows that there is popular support for the issue being raised. Too many likes ‘can start a prairie fire,’” said David Zweig, professor emeritus at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, referring to a Chinese expression about how a single spark can start a far larger blaze.

“The threats to the [Chinese Communist Party] come from an ability to communicate across cities. The authorities must have been really spooked when so many people in so many cities came out at the same time,” he added.