The other day while working overtime, I received a violation warning notification from WeChat stating that one of my previous articles had been deleted for alleged violations. I was puzzled – I hadn’t recently run any advertisements. So why the violation?
Upon logging into the official account backend, I discovered the flagged article: "GIS Technique: Methods for Modifying Positioning in Android and iOS" had been removed due to reports of illegal content.
Which Rules Were Violated?
Reviewing WeChat’s policy page revealed the following potential violations:
- Violating fundamental constitutional principles;
- Endangering national security, leaking state secrets, subverting state power, or undermining national unity;
- Damaging national honor and interests;
- Inciting ethnic hatred, discrimination, or undermining ethnic solidarity;
- Undermining national religious policies, promoting cults or feudal superstitions;
- Spreading false information, disrupting social order, or jeopardizing social stability;
- Disseminating obscenity, pornography, gambling, violence, terrorism, or content that incites crime;
- Insulting or defaming others, infringing upon legitimate rights;
- Inciting illegal assemblies, associations, protests, demonstrations, or gatherings that disrupt social order;
- Operating in the name of illegal non-governmental organizations;
- Failing to comply with the Interim Provisions on the Administration of Public Information Services for Instant Messaging Tools and the "Seven Fundamental Principles" (adherence to laws, socialist system, national interests, citizens’ lawful rights, public order, social morality, and information authenticity);
- Containing other content prohibited by laws or administrative regulations.
After analysis: Points 1-6 clearly didn’t apply, Point 7 was categorically impossible, and Points 8-10 were irrelevant. The most probable violations fell under Points 11 and 12. Further legal research revealed the severity: tools like "时空达人" (Time-Space Guru) and "Supergo" led to arrests. Numerous online cases showed penalties for selling virtual positioning software, a realization that left me uneasy — thankfully, I had shared this information for non-commercial purposes.
Some may question: "Why is modifying location for commute clock-ins or privacy protection illegal?" The answer lies in the act itself: Illegally tampering with pre-configured positioning systems. Behind virtual positioning demands often lie gray/black industries involving illegal access to computer systems, personal data theft, and online fraud. Minor offenses remain offenses — exercise extreme caution with virtual positioning!
Underlying Factors
Consultations later suggested a key driver: provincial subsidy fraud. Many abused virtual positioning to spoof locations in specific provinces and fraudulently claim subsidies. To combat this, WeChat initiated a sweeping compliance review, flagging even technical articles like mine.
Final Thoughts
China’s Cybersecurity Law explicitly prohibits individuals/organizations from engaging in activities that endanger network security, including illegally infiltrating networks, disrupting normal functionality, or stealing network data. Modifying device positioning often falls squarely within these violations.
This incident serves as a critical reminder for GIS practitioners: While technology itself is neutral, professionals must strengthen legal awareness and mitigate personal liability. If instructed to develop virtual positioning features or scraping tools, rigorously assess legal risks. Avoid trading minimal gains for maximum legal exposure.