Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

China Begins Monitoring Billions of Text Messages

Posted by Soulskill on from the that-would-be-a-terrible-job dept.

eldavojohn writes "The Telegraph is reporting that China has begun monitoring 'billions of text messages' in order to increase censorship. However, a People's Daily article claims they only monitor users who have been reported, and only shut down their message service if the complaints are true. Anything considered pornographic will require the user to bring a letter of guarantee to the local public security bureau promising to never again send such messages before service can be reactivated."

5 of 178 comments (clear)

  1. Evil. by headkase · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Ok, exactly how Evil is the Chinese government? I'm all for trade with them because it keeps our relationship stable so we don't actually start killing each other but my opinion of their government style is that it has to go. Their government is Evil from my value system and I would love to see the Chinese people do something about that. Hell, I would even provide material support electronically but I wouldn't go there.

    --
    Shh.
  2. Re:Doesn't this violate the 1st Amendment? by mysidia · · Score: 3, Insightful

    China and the US both need to upgrade to Constitution v2.0

    Remember all those laws the US passed? Communications Decency Act....

    With the right party in power (unfortunately), I could see the US having gone down the same path.

    There's already much precedent in this area.. think FCC regulations and TV/radio broadcasters, talk shows, etc.

    The reason would be the same as usual.... think of the children!

  3. Re:Why does China dislike porn so much? by Psyborgue · · Score: 3, Insightful

    When people are willing to give up sovereignty of their sex lives, they'll give up pretty much anything. That is why the emphasis is there. It's not like the state gives a shit about what people do with their naughty bits. It's just a test to make sure people comply with the absurd. Those who resist are likely to be troublemakers elsewhere.

  4. I wonder how far they can push it by Psyborgue · · Score: 3, Insightful

    before the people revolt and the blood of these assholes runs in the streets. Sadly, i'm leaning towards the believe that the people will probably take it. They know no other way.

  5. Self censorship and conservative thought by Colin+Smith · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Cutting naughty or unacceptable words out of daily conversation is their endgame.

    Look. What they are doing is persuading people to censor themselves, and to think conservatively. The endgame is behaviour modification.

    You don't actually have to read every message. You simply tell people that everything they write or say is monitored.

    It's literally FUD.

       

    --
    Deleted