Forget flaunting your fancy life online in China! Censors are cracking down on social media influencers whose content revolves around extravagant displays of wealth. This follows the government’s “Clear and Bright” campaign launched in April to clean up undesirable content.
The purge began with Wang Hongquan, a content creator with millions of followers who loved showing off his designer threads, first-class travel, and impressive jade jewelry collection. His account on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, vanished on May 28th, citing “violations of Douyin’s community guidelines.”
Wang wasn’t alone. “Sister Abalone,” famous for flaunting her luxurious mansion dripping in diamonds and pearls, also saw her videos disappear from Bilibili, a YouTube-like platform. “Young Master Bo,” another influencer known for test-driving Rolls Royces and splurging on luxury handbags, met the same fate on Douyin, his account claiming he violated “relevant laws and regulations.”
This crackdown reflects China’s recent efforts to rein in social media celebrities. The government frowns upon content promoting “money worship” and excessive displays of wealth. President Xi Jinping’s push for “common prosperity” to reduce income inequality also plays a role. In 2021, livestreaming influencer “queen of livestreaming” Viya was hit with a hefty fine exceeding $200 million for tax evasion, a sign of stricter enforcement.
So, the next time you consider posting about your private jet or diamond collection on Chinese social media, think twice! The “Clear and Bright” campaign might just leave your account looking a little…well, empty.
