Guns, fireworks face stricter policing on Internet

Individuals are to be banned from posting any information relating to dangerous articles on the Internet, and the providers of such goods will also face stricter control regarding online messages, according to a new rule.

The rule was drawn up by six Chinese authorities, including the Ministry of Public Security and the country's Cyberspace Administration, in a bid to fight crimes caused by dangerous goods and make for a cleaner online environment.

The rule, issued on Feb 16, will come into effect on March 1. It stipulates goods that endanger people's lives and property are defined as dangerous articles, such as guns, fireworks, chemicals and nuclear materials.

Departments with permits to produce, sell and use dangerous articles are required to apply for a telecom service permit or put on record if they provide related information about the articles online, according to the rule. They should also put their telecom service permit and business license numbers on their websites and make clear those who are qualified to purchase dangerous articles.

When the rule takes effect, individuals will be prohibited from posting on the Internet any messages about dangerous goods or how to make them.

Providers of the goods who breach the rule will have their business license revoked, and their websites may even face a permanent shutdown. People in charge of departments will also be held responsible.

Implementation of the rule will depend heavily on the public. The six authorities said that people reporting violations will be rewarded.

Dai Peng, director of the criminal investigation college at the People's Public Security of China, approved the rule, saying it can reduce crimes related to the online purchase of dangerous articles by stopping them at source.

"The online information about dangerous goods fell into a mess. It's hard for people to distinguish qualified providers from fake ones, which created loopholes for those with bad intentions," Dai said.

"If we can regulate the channels of posting information about dangerous articles, it may reduce subsequent problems to a large extent," he said. "The rule may be useful to prevent terrorism and clean the online environment."