China Declares War on Internet Pornography

segphault writes "The Chinese government has shut down nearly 600 pornographic web sites, and arrested over 200 people for distributing "obscene" content. The Chinese government has also started performing covert surveillance of mobile phone text messages in order to crack down on banking fraud and prostitution organized and perpetrated with text messages. Ars Technica has the story: 'With more than 100 million Internet users, China has the second largest population of web content consumers after the United States. Although the Chinese government promotes web use for business, education, and government activity, the communist regime has committed its resources to crushing web sites that challenge government authority, or distribute content that the government considers to be detrimental to society'"

Comments

I believe this is nothing new for china

[manavendra]

For a communist country with a long history of very little respect for civil liberties and personal autonomy.
In the past they have:

1. China: Police Shut Down Gay, Lesbian Event
2. Rampant Violence and Intimidation Against Petitioners - Chinese citizens who petition Chinese authorities for the redress of grievances are attacked, beaten, threatened, and intimidated

Not to mention China's stance on Hongkong's pursuit of democracy...