Great Firewall of China of just got tougher | WPN World People News

Internet users in China face tougher controls as the Chinese government is introducing new rules to prevent the spread of online rumour on Sina Weibo, the country's version of social networking site Twitter.

Sina Weibo has 300 million users in China and has become the platform for Chinese citizens to criticise the government.

But on Monday, the website introduced what it called "user contracts" to stop controversial posts. Media reports said the new rules have come after pressure from the Chinese authorities.

According to the London-based independent.co.uk website, the new norms will strengthen the country's dreaded system of internet controls called the Great Firewall of China.

The Independent said the new system makes Sina Weibo users start off with 80 points, which are then deducted when they break the rules by "spreading rumours", encouraging gambling, "insulting the nation" or "calling for illegal protests".

If the balance of points falls to zero, users face the cancellation of their accounts, according to new rules.

Micro-blogging in China started only three years ago but the trend has become very popular, with growth increasing more than four times last year.
Nearly half of all Chinese internet users now use micro-blogs.

Weibo users have already been barred from using their nicknames, codes or avatars and are mandatorily made to use their real names.

"Officially, the measures have been introduced by Weibo. But it is generally thought that Sina, the technology giant that owns Weibo, is trying to show its good corporate credentials to the Chinese government by helping with self-censorship and avoiding possible censure in the future," the Independent said.

Source: Asia Pacific News.Net