China's Ministry of Public Security announced on Sunday that, starting June 1, Chinese Internet watchdogs are strengthening the country's Internet inspection arm to further combat cybercrimes in the country.
According to the country's principal police and security authority, the Internet watchdogs are coming out to the front stage after their long stay from behind the curtains.
“The Internet police are coming out to the front stage from behind the curtains, beginning regular open inspection and law enforcement efforts, raising the visibility of the police online, working hard to increase a joint feeling of public safety for the online community and satisfy the public,” said the ministry as quoted by Reuters.
The cyber watchdog teams are set to work 24/7 to distinguish "illegal and harmful information on the Internet, deter and prevent cybercrimes and improper words and deeds online, publish case reports and handle public tip-offs," the ministry further said, adding that serious law violations will be further scrutinized while minor perpetrators will be given a notice.
Currently, the cyber watchdogs are facing difficult challenges as cybercrimes in China are gradually growing.
To further empower the battle against cybercrime, 50 Chinese localities, which include China's capital city Beijing and Shanghai, with Internet watchdogs will set up their own accounts on popular networking services such as Weibo and WeChat.
According to authorities, over 758,000 pieces of "illegal and criminous information" have already been removed online.
Since the beginning of 2015, more than 70,000 cybercrime cases have been investigated and managed, they added.