Recently, the mainland Chinese short video platform Douyin claimed that it had cooperated with relevant Chinese Communist Party departments to capture 162 suspects involved in online black and gray production crimes this year. It also stated that it would “fix evidence and report” activities such as cross-border operations and the use of VPNs to bypass internet restrictions. However, under the tight surveillance of the CCP, a “wolf father” group that violated children’s rights emerged on Douyin recently. After being reported, the group was only shut down without any follow-up, raising suspicions. Analysts believe that the CCP’s internet monitoring is primarily for political stability, while combating black and gray production is for financial gain, with public safety not being a top concern.
On June 2nd, according to the public account “Douyin Blackboard Report,” the platform had collaborated with relevant authorities to apprehend 162 suspects involved in black and gray production crimes. The announcement listed offenses such as pornography, gambling, account trading, and fraudulent traffic. It also mentioned the existence of groups engaged in cross-border activities, organized operations, cross-platform redirection, VPN usage, and coded language. The platform would “collect evidence and report to the competent authorities” regarding such content.
The announcement also revealed that a local internet company had developed and operated third-party platforms and websites selling services related to inappropriate reporting and unblocking of Douyin accounts. Douyin has taken legal action against these services in local courts and will continue to hand over related information to the authorities.
Senior media figure Tang Hao told Dajiyuan that platforms like Douyin, WeChat, and Xiaohongshu have all been “weaponized” by the CCP to implement strict social control and censorship on the people. “Now, Douyin actively assists the police in apprehending people, which not only exposes its true nature but also reflects the CCP’s increasing insecurity about its regime.”
Douyin emphasized issues related to internet pornography and gambling, mentioning instances where users purchased VPN software to access and share unhealthy content on overseas social platforms, resulting in three individuals being criminally detained.
Tang Hao pointed out that the CCP’s so-called efforts to combat fraud, scams, and illegal activities are secondary goals, with the primary target being VPNs and bypass tools. The CCP’s heightened sense of regime crisis and fear of citizens accessing genuine information from overseas to awaken politically have led them to focus on curbing freedoms, especially information access.
Over the years, the CCP has intensified its internet control measures, with insiders revealing that local propaganda, internet supervision, and public security systems have been instructed to closely monitor social media platforms, live content, and categorize high-frequency accounts.
Tang Hao mentioned that one of the CCP’s main objectives in developing AI in recent years is to shift its stability maintenance strategy from post-incident repression to preemptive suppression.
However, despite the supposedly strict control on the Douyin platform, a “wolf father” group recently surfaced. Weibo user “Stop the Shimmy” exposed on May 26th that a group had been established to discuss topics involving alleged incestuous relationships and sexual assaults on underage daughters, using coded language such as “Little Padded Jacket” to refer to daughters. The explicit chat content sparked shock and anger among many Chinese internet users, condemning the behavior as more repulsive than animalistic.
On May 27th, Douyin responded through its “Douyin Blackboard Report” that upon investigation, the relevant accounts and groups associated with the videos had been indefinitely banned, with any inappropriate content or comments being strictly handled in accordance with platform rules. For suspected illegal activities, records would be preserved and reported to the authorities for investigation.
Social media figure Dayu stated during a live broadcast that any posts criticizing the top Chinese leadership disappear within seconds on the internet. However, in the case of the exposed “wolf father” group, no individuals were arrested, and the group was merely shut down. The problem lies in a regime with the world’s most stringent surveillance system opting for silence when faced with violations against the so-called “flowers of the motherland.”
Dayu cited online revelations stating that a set of inappropriate coded language centered around “Little Padded Jacket” circulated in certain Douyin comment sections and private communities. With the CCP’s rigorous surveillance system, why couldn’t Douyin’s algorithm recognize such coded language? Why was it necessary for people to report it? While phrases related to “June 4th” events are easily identified, why were these not found? It is no wonder that netizens are angrily questioning the whereabouts of those in charge of monitoring.
Dayu pointed out that banning accounts removes individuals from the platform, but what about the suffering children? Who will rescue them, and why hasn’t the official response addressed this? After handing over information to the authorities, Douyin has remained silent. The issue goes beyond legal matters; it is a question of morality for the Chinese elite and regulatory officials.
Current affairs commentator Li Linyi told Dajiyuan that everything the CCP does is driven by political necessity. Therefore, the primary objectives of social media censorship are to safeguard the regime and generate revenue. The crackdown on internet black and gray production is for financial gains, while tackling scams and various violations affecting public safety only occurs with reporting, or sometimes not at all, which has become the norm.