China is re-launching an official government campaign, tagged 'clean the Internet,' aimed at eliminating the use of smartphone apps containing porn and obscene content and is promising to increase punishment for those convicted of such creating such content.
The effort, which initially was kicked off last year by the ruling Communist Party, states online pornography and what the political group calls "rumors" can have a harmful impact on China.
The goal, according to a statement on the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology website, is to get mobile app companies to remove offensive materials, according to a news report.
The government states it's aiming to improve its ability to uncover porn apps and "improve the process of punishment."
The move is likely in response to new data regarding how China's population is accessing the Internet.
A new report this week reveals a majority of China's Internet users are now using mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to access the Internet versus PCs and desktops, which had long been the top access form factor.
China boasts the world's largest number of online users, with 632 million users at this point. The China Internet Network Information Center revealed this week that 83 percent, as of the end of June, were tapping smartphones for Internet access.
The center also revealed overall Internet use increased 2.3 percent in less than six months, with mobile Internet access increasing 5.4 percent.
Yet, according to one report, the numbers of Chinese residents jumping online is slowing at this point. China added 14.4 million new users in the first half of this year, the lowest growth rate for the past eight years.
According to reports, Chinese residents who spread online rumors or write what the government deems defamatory comments can be sentenced to at least three years of prison.
One resident in the provincial capital of Kunming was found guilty of such acts and sentenced to six and a half years in prison.
