Crackdown continues on messaging as 4 arrested over rumors

Chinese police have arrested four people on suspicion of fabricating and spreading rumors on the Internet as authorities tighten regulation of instant messaging services.

The four people may face defamation charges.

According to a judicial interpretation released by the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate in September 2013, the offense of online defamation should be regarded as "serious" if a post of false information is clicked on more than 5,000 times or forwarded more than 500 times. This means the person who posted the rumor is punishable under the Criminal Law, and that they can face up to three years in prison.

Defamation charges can also lead to the loss of political rights.

Police have also detained or warned another 81 people for similar but slighter offences, they said on Saturday, without detailing when any of these actions were taken. Meanwhile, 16 websites have also been punished for "weak safety management."

These people used social network services to fabricate and spread rumors, or forward rumors published on foreign websites, according to police.

The reports included predictions of an earthquake in Beijing within two to six days and gunshots being heard in the west of the Chinese capital. Rumors also included things like terrorists knocking on residents' doors to conduct terrorist attacks and criminals stealing children's organs, according to police.

China has required users of instant messaging services to use their real names when registering since Thursday, in an effort to hold users responsible for content they send out.