China bans mucky text messages

No more handheld filth

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Mobile, 29th March 2007 15:10 GMT

Chinese police are warning mobile users to think again before sending pornographic pictures or text messages from their phones.

Anyone caught sending explicit messages could face a fine of 3,000 yuan ($388) and up to two weeks in prison.

If you are caught selling mucky mobile content you could spend up to three years in prison. This month, 19 secondhand phone dealers have been arrested for selling porn for phones.

Beijing police told China Daily the problem was growing: "The sending of pornographic text messages is becoming more prevalent in the capital and there is evidence that a growing number of mobile-phone dealers are getting involved."

The police notice also warned people not to download dirty content from the internet or forward it on to friends.