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China has shut down over 60,000 pornographic Websites this year in a major crackdown against obscene material on the Internet. Although critics argue that critics have accused the Chinese government of using the censorship, which was launched in December 2009, as a way of also blocking a lot of other Websites with politically sensitive or controversial user-generated content, the government argues that it is a necessary action that is driven by the increasing amount of lewd Web content that is getting out of control and thus threatening the emotional health of children.
During the process, the government examined the content of 1.79 million Websites and removed 350 million pornographic and lewd articles, pictures and video footages. According to Wang Chen, head of the State Council Information Office, the campaign has been very successful and the Internet environment is better for it as it is now cleaner than ever when so many pornographic Websites were available. This latest crackdown against obscene material also comes with the arrests of over 5,000 suspects. Already there are signs that other countries may follow suit and take a similar stance. For example, the UK government has been reported to have somewhat similar plans to turn off all Internet porn sites at the ISP level by legislation pending talks with leading broadband providers.
Talking Point
Do you see the Chinese government’s crackdown against Internet porn sites as a clampdown on Web freedom or should similar actions be encouraged particularly where there is proof that these sites are damaging to children?
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Nuvenus Chovendus
December 31, 2010 at 8:44 pm
60,000 sites? these people really likes sex and pornography.
Lack Jesus Christ in their lives.
Happy 2011 to everyone and next year we are here.
Hugs
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John
December 31, 2010 at 11:01 pm
I definitely think China’s crackdown on internet porn sites is a clampdown on web freedom.
It should be the peoples of China’s choice to watch porn if they choose. There are many safety and methods parents can use to keep their children away from porn sites.
However, I wouldn’t be surprised if more actions similar to this are implemented in other countries.
Henway
December 31, 2010 at 11:53 pm
It’s good to hear China censoring stuff other than Facebook and Twitter. While I’m usually not a big fan of censorship, I think porn really has no constructive benefit for society. Of course, one might argue the govt has no right to make that decision for us, but I do believe the govt should have some responsibility for social goodness.
Computers Smart Phones Technology
January 2, 2011 at 7:56 pm
It is welcome development, in as much as the website are threatening to the emotional health of children.
Britney
January 6, 2011 at 10:41 pm
I was in China 2 weeks ago. 60,000 sites is a drop in the bucket. Even though the government heavily censors there, the people are all aware of this and there is an arms race of sorts that just gets more sophisticated as time goes by. Most techie Chinese are at least as aware as what is going on in the outside world as the average options trader.
Admin
January 6, 2011 at 10:55 pm
Thanks for the insight!
Jennifer.nurse
January 13, 2011 at 5:20 pm
OMG! This is something we can really be worried about. These numbers are showing us a lot about each of us, so we should rapidly change something, don’t you think?
jimmy cook
November 21, 2013 at 7:46 am
though 60,000 porn site is shut down in chinabut there are still thousands of free porn site acrossthe web !