The social media and messenger service WeChat has banned a number of activist groups from the app. The profiles had campaigned for LGBTQ rights. This type of censorship is not new in the People’s Republic.
The WeChat app, popular in China, has blocked the profiles of numerous LGBTQ activism groups and banned them from further use. Groups of students, such as the accounts of the “Gay Pride” of the Technical University of Huazong or “ColorsWorld” of the University of Beijing, are apparently particularly affected. The feminist group “Zhihe Society” at Fudan University in Shanghai also reported a blocked account that could not be “revived” in the foreseeable future.
Accordingly, all posts on the accounts of the blocked profiles had already disappeared on Wednesday and were replaced by a note. “All content was blocked and the use of the account was stopped,” it had now been said. The groups are said to have violated the terms of use, WeChat had received corresponding complaints. What exactly it was about, however, was not in the explanation.
WeChat was founded in 2011 and is especially popular in China. The app combines chat and social media functions; users can use it to make video calls as well as pay. At the same time, the app operators are supposed to make all data available to the Chinese government – and censorship on the platform has been a problem several times in the past.
Not just WeChat: LGBTQ content is often censored in China
LGBTQ content in particular often falls victim to deletions in Chinese networks and media. Homosexuality has been decriminalized in China for more than twenty years; LGBTQ-related issues are still considered sensitive in society and by the authorities. Correspondingly, they are treated restrictively: in 2018, for example, to delete content related to homosexuality in a “cleanup campaign”. After criticism of the project, the owners were rowed back.
In the course of the account deletions on WeChat, there have also been virtual calls for protests and actions in the past few days. However, it is questionable whether they will work: some of the calls were deleted from the platform shortly after they were published.
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
