China’s internet regulator is planning a crackdown on online dating sites, it was reported this week.
Xinhua, China’s state news agency, said the Cyberspace Administration of China announced the crackdown in a statement that said fraud on dating sites was a “public nuisance to millions of users, especially young people”.
They said all “accounts failing to register with real names must be closed”, and that dating and matchmaking sites had an obligation to enforce this.
The organisation also wants to stamp out prostitution and “fraud rings” operating on such sites.
Crackdowns on online dating sites, and messaging apps, has been common in China over the past few years.
Last June, Xinhua announced a crackdown against online porn, dissident content, and prostitution – singling out WeChat as a particular offender.
This led to WeChat apparently closing over 20m accounts.
Popular flirt app Momo was also branded as a “hormone-filled” hot bed for prostitutes, by the state media agency.
In November 2014, it was also revealed that China’s top media and TV watchdog – the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television – would be making online streaming sites remove salacious content.
This included content showing one night stands, sexual abuse, adultery, plots with violent murder and “supernatural occurrences”.