One of China’s biggest social networks is recruiting content supervisors, shortly after it was fined by internet regulators for failing to purge banned content from its platform.
The Beijing Cyberspace Administration said Monday that it had handed Sina Weibo the heaviest fine possible for “pornographic content and content propagating ethnic hatred” on its platform. The network was also ordered to remove illegal content immediately, and increase platform management measures.
On Wednesday, Weibo posted on its official account inviting users to apply to become one of 1,000 “Weibo supervisors.”
The ten supervisors who make the most reports per month can receive prizes including iPhones, cell phones made by Chinese brands, or laptop computers.
According to the recruitment notice, supervisors will report “pornographic, illegal and harmful content” through a special mechanism.
Content monitors are responsible for successfully reporting no fewer than 200 cases each month, but will be fired if they make three erroneous reports. Monitors will receive RMB200 (HK$234) per month as a subsidy for their internet fees, and will also receive a verified user status on Weibo.
Users who have been registered for over a year, possess over 80 Weibo credit points, and have linked their mobile numbers to their account are eligible. User can apply only once, and must verify their identity before they can be considered for the role. They will also receive training from Weibo.
The initiative will be carried out under the guidance of the Beijing Cyberspace Administration.
China has tightened online policing this year, enacting new rules that require tech companies to store user data inside the country as well as restrictions on content. It also published new regulations at the end of August ordering internet platforms to verify users’ identities.
Additional reporting: AFP
