China has launched a platform, which includes a mobile app, which allows the public to report "online rumors" and even to use artificial intelligence to identify false reports. At the same time, Beijing breaks down socially destabilizing content.
The launch of the platform comes as Beijing intensifies its efforts to monitor the Internet, in particular the social media used by users to discuss politics and other sensitive topics, despite the fact that there is a rigorous censorship.
In addition to a website, the Piyao platform - which means "refuting entries" - also has an app for mobile devices and social media accounts with the Weibo and WeChat social media giants.
Through these channels, Piyao will broadcast "real" news, obtaining reports from state media, local newspapers controlled by the party and various government agencies.
In a promotional video of the launch on his website Piyao said: "rumors violate individual rights, create social panic, cause stock market fluctuations, impact normal commercial operations, openly attack revolutionary martyrs."
Official data show that Internet regulators received 6,7 millions of reports on illegal and false information in July, with most cases coming from Sina that owns Weibo, Tencent owning Wechat, Baidu and Alibaba.
The Chinese laws impose that those who spread false rumors can be accused of defamation and can risk up to seven years in prison. Anyone who publishes untruthful content, posts visited by 5.000 users, or republished more than 500 sometimes may incur a custodial sentence.
Piyao has integrated over 40 local rumor-refuting platforms and uses artificial intelligence to identify rumors. The platform operates under the leadership of 27 government departments, including the Central Party School, which trains rising officials and a powerful planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission.
The Chinese media regularly report - and reject - the popular rumors circulating online, although they generally only mention topics that deal with issues concerning local officials corrupt health alerts
President Xi Jinping said last year that China will build a "clean and clear" Internet space.