Cyberspace authorities purge internet of 'troll farms'

China's cyberspace regulators shut down over 400 websites and platforms in 2024, punishing 2.39 million online accounts and merchants to combat activities associated with the "online troll farms".

"Troll farms" are groups hired to post online comments, make purchases and manipulate public opinion to boost popularity or attack competitors. These groups may create fake accounts, spread misinformation, or engage in astroturfing to disguise paid activity as genuine user engagement.

According to a news release from the Cyberspace Administration of China on Friday, authorities have further intensified efforts to crack down on these activities since the start of the new year.

The release stated that some online troll farms exploit social events to gain attention, while others create false reputations for merchants or manipulate ratings and reviews for films and celebrities, generating fake traffic data.

Such activities severely harm the online ecosystem, the statement said. Last year, over 400 websites and platforms were shut down, and 4.82 million pieces of illegal and harmful information were removed, the cyberspace administration said.

Authorities imposed punishments on 2.39 million online accounts and merchants, as well as 52,000 online groups.

The administration has disclosed several typical cases.

Some online trolls set up self-service ordering platforms offering services such as boosting reviews, "likes" and engagement on short-video, livestreaming and social media platforms, the release noted.

Cyber administration authorities have shut down platforms dedicated to online troll farms and worked with app stores to intercept or remove certain applications.

Authorities have also investigated the misuse of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and applications designed to generate fake traffic.

Some online troll farms frequently used bot accounts to post in bulk in comment sections, taking advantage of opportunities to boost rankings and create trending topics, the cyberspace administration said.

Certain software tools have developed AI-writing functions and account farms for one-click posting, facilitating account manipulation and topic fabrication.

In response, authorities urged online platforms to handle illegal accounts in accordance with laws and agreements. They have collaborated with relevant departments to crack down on AI-tool-based online troll farm organizations and guided platforms to enhance technical measures to intercept and deal with account-farming software and bot accounts.

The release said that cyber administration authorities will continue working with relevant departments to maintain "high pressure" and severely punish online troll farms' activities, resolutely preventing their resurgence.

The cyberspace administration has also urged the public to actively participate in oversight and report online misconduct by providing timely information about potential violations.

It reminded netizens to exercise caution when encountering online part-time job offers to avoid being deceived into participating in online troll farm activities, which could result in personal and financial losses.