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Mass communication via cell
phone played a role in recent anti-Japan rallies such as this, involving
some 40,000 demonstrators in Guangzhou, south China. China Photos / Getty
Images |
The Chinese government last week issued new guidelines that seek to
limit the use of cell phones for text messaging.
A circular issued by the Ministry of Public Security, the communist internal political
police, stated that it is illegal to send short text messages that can have “massive
influence.”
Chinese leaders fear text messaging could be used for pro-democracy and anti-communist
political activities.
The effort appears aimed at curbing mass communication through cell phones,
such as occurred in recent months when large-scale anti-Japanese demonstrations
were triggered by widespread text messages.
The statement said that some text messages were sent posing as banks to defraud
or blackmail people. There also have been obscene and pornographic messages, gambling
and violent content.
Other illegal text messages have been related to such criminal activity as the
sale of firearms, ammunition, explosives, smuggled cars, narcotics, knockout drops,
obscene articles and counterfeit money.
The circular said action would be taking against anyone using text messages
that violate the constitution, laws or decrees.
