(ECNS) -- As World Consumer Rights Day on March 15 approaches, several regions have reported increased touting of services that promise companies they can scrub negative information from the Internet, China National Radio reports.
Anonymous promoters in Shijiazhuang and Xingtai, both in north China's Hebei Province, have used instant messaging software like QQ to deliver messages that say they are "professionals" able to remove posted articles clients disapprove of, according to the report.
An investigation found the self-styled professionals have clearly marked prices for deleting information from news sites, forums and blogs, ranging from 2,300 yuan ($350) for a scrub from Tianya.cn, to 700 yuan for Douban.com and 100 yuan for zhidao.baidu.com.
Information on major news portals like sina.com.cn and 163.com are also said to be removable although the cost is higher, the CRN report added.
Some promoters even agree to receive payments after deleting the targeted posts, it states.
Paid services to delete negative information is discribed as a crime for businesses in China, according to a judicial explanation jointly released by the Supreme Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate in 2013.
The CNR report added that more companies demand services to protect their image ahead of consumer day despite the illegality of the practice under Chinese laws.
China usually organizes a series of high-profile activities on World Consumer Rights Day to advise consumers about their rights and interests. Efforts in the past included destroying piles of shoddy and fake products, and disclosing quality scandals. Companies generally are more alert to compliance with regulations in this period.
