WeChat censoring content related to coronavirus: report

WeChat, a Chinese multi-purpose messaging app, and Chinese live-streaming platform YY have been censoring keywords related to coronavirus since January 1, reported Citizen Lab research group.

According to the Citizen Lab report, WeChat has censored coronavirus-related content (including critical and neutral information) and expanded the censorship in February 2020. Content, including criticism of the government, rumours, and speculative information on the pandemic, has been censored.

The apps have also censored the information on Li Wenliang, a doctor who was among the earliest to warn the population about the disease. The Chinese government had detained Li for spreading “fake news”. However, days after Li’s detention, the government confirmed the coronavirus outbreak.