Do not share unverified messages about disasters, epidemics, or police incidents in groups; do not photoshop images or use AI to generate fake scene pictures

A message about a disaster, epidemic, or police incident that you know is false and still forward is punished as heavily as if you invented it. Even if you did not invent it, the same applies: detention for 5 to 10 days, and a further fine of up to 1000 yuan. If you seriously disrupt social order, the sentence is up to 3 years; if serious consequences follow, 3 to 7 years. Photoshopped or AI-made fake scene pictures all count as inventing it yourself.

Cost

No cost involved. Simply check whether the message is an official announcement before sharing. If you’re unsure, don’t share it, and avoid editing images or adding phrases like “allegedly.” The real challenge is resisting the urge to be the first person to spread the news.

Benefit

Those who deliberately spread rumors or make false reports about disasters, epidemics, or police incidents to disrupt public order can be detained for 5 to 10 days and fined up to 1,000 yuan. For less serious cases, the penalty is detention for under 5 days or a fine under 1,000 yuan. Creating and posting fake reports about such incidents online also carries a maximum 3-year prison term, even if you know the content is untrue. This applies only when the actions cause significant disruption to social order, as defined by law. If serious consequences arise, the sentence rises to 3 to 7 years nationwide.

Notes

Sharing known false content carries the same legal penalties as creating it yourself; claiming “I just shared it” offers no exemption. Photoshopped images and AI-generated fake scene pictures are also considered self-created content. In 2025, China’s Ministry of Public Security released multiple batches of typical cases involving online rumors about disasters and emergencies. At the time of writing, the ministry’s website was inaccessible, so no specific examples were cited.

Sources · 3

1. 全国人大常委会 (2025). 治安管理处罚法（2025 年修订，第二十九条）. spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/202506/t20250627_699863.shtml
2. 全国人大常委会 (2015). 刑法修正案（九）（第三十二条，即刑法第二百九十一条之一第二款）. spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/201802/t20180205_364562.shtml
3. 全国人大 (2020). 刑法（根据刑法修正案（十一）修正，第二百九十一条之一）. jtgl.beijing.gov.cn/jgj/jgxx/flfg/fl/11033925…（北京市公安交通管理局转载）