China has banned LGBTQ content in social media

China has invented most of the apps that we use today. It has invented all the popular social media services. But a few days back China’s most popular social media service has deleted accounts on LGBT topics run by university students and nongovernment groups, prompting concern the ruling Communist Party is tightening control over gay and lesbian content. This move was taken by all the most used social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WeChat.

Even social media platforms such as WeChat sent account holders a notice, they violated rules but gave no details, according to the founder of an LGBT group, who asked not to be identified further out of fear of possible official retaliation. She said at least dozens of accounts were shut down, all at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday. It wasn’t clear whether the step was ordered by Chinese authorities, but it comes as the ruling party tightens political controls and tries to silence groups that might criticize its rule.

This move was criticized and protested by all the people of the LGBTQ community and by common people in the country. As social media is such a platform where people from all over the world despite their race, citizenship, colour and status and gender can express their thoughts freely. But the government has also notified the media that they are thinking about bringing a rule under which all these published contents will be punishable.

All the users whose accounts has been closed have filed reports against the social media platform but there were no actions taken by the authority to prevent these actions. WeChat’s operator, Tencent Holding Ltd., confirmed it received an email seeking comment but didn’t immediately respond. The other social media platforms also haven’t provided any explanation for this step.