China's procuratorates intensify cyberspace governance

Chinese procuratorates have intensified efforts to improve cyberspace governance, prosecuting 77,000 people for crimes committed via the internet in the first half of 2026, according to data released by the Supreme People's Procuratorate on Thursday.

Procuratorial organs across the country have actively participated in special campaigns such as the "Clean Internet 2026" operation, targeting offenses including cyber violence, online rumors, internet-based extortion, and paid online manipulations.

The SPP stated that prosecutors have also deepened a special campaign against cross-border telecom and online fraud. In the first six months of the year, 32,000 people were prosecuted for telecom and internet fraud crimes.

The protection of personal information has remained a focus. Procuratorates released typical cases on the protection of citizens' personal information, prosecuted 2,641 people for infringing on such information, and handled 2,090 public interest litigation cases in this field, it said.

The top procuratorate said procuratorial organs will continue to strengthen legal supervision and case handling in cyberspace while working with relevant departments to punish online crimes and address problems that affect people's sense of security.

Prosecutors have also continued to implement guidelines on handling common criminal cases, including drunk driving, concealing or disguising criminal proceeds, and assisting in information network crimes. The aim is to improve governance of frequent offenses through law-based measures and better protect public security and social order.