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China’s online influencers under scrutiny after fake story sparks public outrage

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Top influencer Xu Jiayi faked a story about finding a boy’s missing homework in Paris.

Top influencer Xu Jiayi faked a story about finding a boy’s missing homework in Paris.

PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM BILI BILI

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The attention-grabbing antics of Chinese online influencers are in the authorities’ cross hairs, after a content creator faked a story about finding a boy’s missing homework in Paris.

The Cyberspace Administration, China’s internet regulator, on April 23 announced a two-month crackdown on social media personalities who publish false stories to deceive the public and boost their online traffic.

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