China’s Internet Regulator Shuts 65 Dating Sites

Following the announcement of a crackdown on online dating fraud, China’s internet regulator has shut 65 dating sites.

Last week, the Cyberspace Administration of China said they would be tackling fraud on dating sites, saying it was a “public nuisance to millions of users, especially young people”.

China’s state news agency Xinhua said the regulator also wanted to stamp out prostitution and “fraud rings” that operated on dating sites.

And now Reuters reports that 65 dating and matchmaking sites have been shut, for allowing people to use fake names to sign up, and for spreading lewd content.

The report, released today, said the closed sites “allowed the use of false identities at will to register”, in order to “spread obscene and lascivious content”, and that the “circumstances were serious and the effects terrible.”

Reuters reported the sites in question had names like “Get a one-night stand” and “Playing with you net.”