The Chinese government has launched yet
another attack against internet pornography, with officials expecting
the anti-porn program to last until the end of May 2010.
To
help lead the way, WAP site registration will have to undergo
additional scrutiny, with each site's registration information
verified before it goes live. Furthermore, the government also
will go beyond WAP sites, and will also target third-party payment
companies, and others who are involved in providing online
pornography to Chinese internet users.
"If they do not
take up proper actions, they will be held
for the breach of duty," according to a statement reported
on by Chinese media. "In those serious cases, the
corporate representatives will be forced to apologize to the public
and promise to correct their wrong-doings in public."
Some
web hosts in Shanghai, Henan, Zhejiang and Jiangxi are now saying
some customers are calling in to complain they can no longer access
their own personal Web sites. Furthermore, ISPs are no longer
allowed to host personal websites -- only businesses and companies
approved by the government -- can have individual Web sites.
The
so-called great wall of China has kicked thousands of PC users off of
the internet, with YouTube, twitter, Facebook and Flickr also
reprimanded for various reasons. YouTube came under fire in
March after videos highlighting the situation in Tibet were promoted
by Chinese users.
Along with a crackdown on internet porn, the
government also is leading yet another attempt to limit piracy --
several Chinese websites known for hosting copyrighted music and
movies were disconnected.