In China, starting from the New Year, people will be jailed for sexual content in chats and correspondence

In China, starting from the New Year, people will be jailed for sexual content in chats and correspondence 0

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Regulation has been tightened following a series of scandals involving the distribution of intimate photos in online groups without women's consent.

In China, a ban on obscene content in messaging apps will be introduced in January. It is prohibited to distribute such content even in private chats. The information is reported by The Washington Post, citing the adopted bill.

The ban applies to messaging apps and Chinese social networks. Authorities are implementing strict measures to eradicate pornography. The fight against it has evolved from moral concerns into a legal framework. The bill pays special attention to the protection of minors.

Distributing explicit content may result in a fine of $700 or imprisonment for 10-15 days. If minors are involved, the prison sentence may increase. The new regulations will become part of China's policy on information control in cyberspace. Human rights activists fear that this will give authorities access to the private correspondence of the population. Regulation has been tightened following a series of scandals involving the distribution of intimate photos in online groups without women's consent. Through the initiated reform, authorities hope to create a safe digital space.

The announcement of the new rules came amid a high-profile scandal this summer. A mass distribution of intimate photos of women without their consent was discovered in the Telegram group MaskPark. The incident sparked a wave of public outrage and became an additional argument for the authorities in favor of tightening regulation.

The new policy fits into China's overall strategy to strengthen internet control - from censoring social networks to restricting digital services and content.

Censorship authorities typically view LGBT content as immoral and regularly censor non-pornographic images of such content in the media. Positive depictions of same-sex relationships in films and on television have been removed from the air by censors, and according to Human Rights Watch, negative portrayals of LGBTQ individuals are "common and widespread."