China launches crackdown on mobile web browser 'chaos'

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

INTERNET NEWS
OCTOBER 26, 2020 11:23 AM UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO

China launches crackdown on mobile web browser 'chaos'

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China’s top cyber authority said on Monday it would carry out a “rectification” of Chinese mobile internet browsers to address what it called social concerns over the “chaos” of information being published online.

China has tightened already strict internet censorship rules in recent years. In the latest crackdown, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) gave browsers two weeks to conduct a self-examination focusing on problems including the spreading of rumours, use of sensationalist headlines and publishing of content that violates the core values of socialism.

The campaign will initially focus on eight of the most influential mobile browsers in China such as ones operated by Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, Alibaba Group Holding and Xiaomi Corp, the CAC said in a statement.

Others include the QQ platform owned by Tencent, Qihoo-owned 360, Oppo and Sogou.

"For some time, mobile browsers have grown in an uncivilised way ... and have become a gathering place and amplifier for dissemination of chaos by 'self-media'," the CAC said, echoing words it had used in a 2018 crackdown on social media accounts of independent news providers.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-censorship-browsers/china-launches-crackdown-on-mobile-web-browser-chaos-idUSKBN27B1Z3

[Layzeebeaver]

1. The browser does not disseminate chaos

This is just a pre- awareness message for a future state order implementing mandatory browser based filtering.

The subtext is that their state controlled central pipe based filtering and blocking is obviously not working. So they are going to try filtering at the point of display. Have fun boys!

Uncontrolled content (true or false) will eventually find a way to the consumer.