Recently, the Chinese Internet Joint Rumor Refutation Platform conducted an analysis of internet rumors from September. Data monitoring and reports from netizens indicate that the primary focus of these rumors revolved around public policies, disasters, and social issues. Many rumors were propagated by individuals impersonating official sources, fabricating facts to sensationalize disasters, or maliciously creating false narratives about societal matters, all of which infringed on the rights of the public and disrupted social order, leading to undesirable effects.
Regarding public policy deception for profit, since September, several individuals had posed as officials to spread false policy information for the purpose of fraud. This has harmed the interests of the general public. For example, rumors such as “The Ministry of Commerce has issued a notice about subsidies for exchanging old items for new” or “Yunnan’s tourism bureau announced that visiting the Yunnan Grand Circuit offers benefits” have been traced back to fraudsters misusing the names of authoritative departments and state-owned enterprises. Other fabrications like “No educational background or social security is needed to settle in Shenzhen” and “Hangzhou has introduced new social security policies” originated from certain brokerage firms seeking to attract clients by exaggerating facts and manipulating statements to charge service fees. Another rumor claimed, “The sixth series of the Renminbi will be released next year, including a 1,000 yuan note,” which was actually a rehash of an old rumor by scammers, who forged images of a “new version” of the currency to entice the public into purchasing these so-called “test version collectibles,” thereby swindling money.
As for disaster-related rumors, September saw the impact of typhoons “Mocha” and “Bebinca,” leading to severe disaster conditions in various regions. Earthquakes in places like Anhui and Xinjiang posed direct threats to public safety and property. Some self-media outlets and netizens, in a bid to gain attention and traffic, exaggerated incidents or manipulated facts, creating a wave of misinformation. Claims such as “On a typhoon day, healthcare personnel were killed in Hainan” or “Someone fell from height due to the typhoon in Shanghai” spread panic among the public and had negative social impacts. Specific false rumors, like “A powerful earthquake caused cracks in high-rise buildings in Hefei” and “A sudden 7.0 earthquake in Chongqing,” were completely fabricated. Additionally, some netizens deliberately spread alarming and false narratives about public safety, such as “15 kidnapped children found in a refrigerated truck” and “Human traffickers apprehended at Guanyin Bridge in Chongqing,” causing unnecessary anxiety and further disrupting social stability.
Moreover, some self-media and netizens have created misleading topics to capture public attention. By exploiting people’s concerns for social issues, they intentionally generate false information that misguides public perception. For instance, some have claimed “Massive water releases from China’s Jinghong Hydropower Station are affecting Laos” and “China’s high-speed trains consume 10,000 kilowatt-hours per kilometer,” creating divisive sentiments. Other unfounded rumors, such as “A man in Hotan, Xinjiang, was forced to buy counterfeit jade,” or exaggerated claims about environmental pollution, damage local reputations by distorting realities. Additionally, health-related myths, such as “If you faint from a heart attack, pressing the middle of the upper lip can save you” or the notion that “Overcooking noodles means they contain industrial glue and are unsafe,” often masquerade as “scientific advice,” promoting undue anxiety within the public.
As we move into October with the change of seasons, there will likely be an increase in rumors related to healthcare, disease prevention, and wellness. The Chinese Internet Joint Rumor Refutation Platform reminds netizens to maintain a calm and rational mindset when faced with the vast amount of online information, enhancing their immunity to rumors and contributing to a cleaner online space.
