China is intensifying its efforts in "cleansing" the Internet. (Photo : Reuters)
China is bound to implement a long-term system for cleaning up online blackmail and post deletion for profit, following a recent large-scale campaign against such unlawful behavior, the country's leading Internet regulator said on Thursday.
Based on a statement released by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the nation will keep investigating malpractices in the digital community, such as online blackmail and post deletion for profit. The bureau will also establish a mechanism to accept tip-offs and circulate information on illegal websites on a regular basis.
The CAC calls for the public to be active in reporting cyber violations. It pledged to give quick response, personal privacy protection, and monetary rewards.
The report also said that authorities will be disseminating information to victims of illegal practices, with the aim of teaching them how to reject online blackmail and post deletion profiteering. A rule on suppressing these illegal practices will be released.
To enhance the cleanup mechanism, a database will also be created to collect and track illegal websites and accounts. It will store a record of illegal acts to serve as evidence for law enforcement and administration.
China's movement targeting violations on online information, such as false news and blackmail, has been in place since January.
Almost 300 illegitimate websites have been terminated, while more than one million accounts in social media sites have been deactivated. Over nine million pieces of trash information have been erased and nearly 50 local news portals have been shut down. The CAC also blocked over 9,000 search keywords and more than three million related links on commercial websites such as Baidu.
A rule has been issued by the CAC in April which states that the regulator has the right to call for senior executives of Internet corporations when they fail to delete unsafe content. The regulator has sat down in a meeting with executives of 136 websites to date.
Programs to fight online blackmail and post deletion for money will keep on being implemented, said the CAC.
