Authorities in the Chinese province of Henan are suspected to be restricting some residents’ movements using a Covid app, following rare protests.
Multiple people say they are being forced to quarantine, blocked from public transport or entering buildings.
Most appear to be customers of four rural banks which had run into issues providing cash withdrawals, report Chinese media outlets.
The banks froze deposits, prompting angry demonstrations last month.
China’s banking and insurance regulator has since ordered an investigation into the banks.
More than 39 billion yuan (£5bn; $6bn) is believed to have been frozen, affecting hundreds of thousands of customers.
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