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China's former top internet censor faces corruption probe

Online czar Lu Wei tightened restrictions on internet use in China, but now he's the latest official under investigation.

Richard Trenholm Former Movie and TV Senior Editor
Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping Visits Washington State

China's Internet czar Lu Wei (left) chats with Chinese President Xi Jinping (middle) and Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg (right) in 2015.

Pool / Getty Images

One of the leading figures behind the Great Firewall of China is under investigation for corruption. 

According to state media outlet Xinhua, China's anti-corruption agency is investigating Lu Wei, although no specific allegations have been revealed. Up until last year, Lu Wei was head of internet watchdog, the Cyberspace Administration of China, which keeps tight controls on citizens' use of social networks, VPNs and other online communication.

Watch this: Apple blocked by China's Great Firewall

The former internet czar is the latest official to be implicated in an ongoing campaign to root out graft among Chinese officials. 

China continues its policy of censoring and blocking content and communication online. Chat app Skype was the latest to be removed from the country's app stores this week.

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