Is it more likely that they want people to have nice passwords so set up filters to make sure, or that they know everyone’s password because they want to be able to see what all of China is saying to each other? I’ll continue to believe it’s the latter unless I see a better explanation.
It's highly unlikely they need folks' passwords to "see what all of China is saying to each other". I'd fully expect the Chinese government to have full access to that, without any need for a password.
Unless they assume the average Chinese user is just like the average user everywhere else on the planet which tends to reuse password in multiple locations.
I think the fact that she is a western journalist who speaks out against the CCP makes a reasonable explanation that her account is more 'watched' then the average account.
What makes more sense, a platform known for censorship and asshatery censored someone, or a journalist who's income relies on her reputation made up a small largely non-story that won't earn her any money but will ruin her reputation if it's proved to be false?
A caring dev sneaking in a blacklist to reduce the risk of physical harm for users who unexpectedly find themselves in a rubber hose attack?
Surely the least likely of all possible explanations, but an easter egg blocking passwords that are variations of "I refuse to cooperate" would be a hidden artistic statement in its own way.
Because the CCP is a totalitarian state with an interest in controlling expression, even in passwords?