China OKs law to tighten control on internet use

PanARMENIAN.Net - China's legislature approved a cybersecurity law on Monday, November 7 that human rights activists warn will tighten political controls and foreign companies say might hamper access to Chinese technology markets, the Associated Press reports.

Chinese authorities say the law is required to prevent crime and terrorism. It also prohibits activity aimed at "overthrowing the socialist system," a reference to challenges to the ruling Communist Party's monopoly on power.

Chinese leaders promote internet use for business and education but try to block access to material deemed subversive or obscene. The country has the biggest population of Internet users at 710 million, according to government data.

The latest measure approved by the National People's Congress requires companies to enforce censorship and aid in investigations and imposes standards for security technology. It tightens controls on where Chinese citizens' data can be stored.

Human rights groups complain it will extend controls on a society in which media are controlled by the ruling party and the internet has provided a rare forum for individuals to express themselves to a large audience.

"The new cyber-security law tightens the authorities' repressive grip on the internet," said Patrick Poon, a China researcher for Amnesty International, in a statement. "It goes further than ever before in codifying abusive practices, with a near total disregard for the rights to freedom of expression and privacy."