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China Unleashes Web Cops

Cute caricatures will pop up, steer users clear of risqué content

By Polly Davis Doig, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 28, 2007 3:43 PM CDT

(Newser) – Beijing police have an answer for Internet users who might be tempted to gamble or watch the Paris Hilton sex video: an animated officer who moves across your screen in a virtual car, motorcycle or on foot while admonishing you to steer clear of illegal content. The cartoon alerts will appear every half-hour on China’s 13 main portals starting Sept. 1, the AP reports.

The cyber-officers are apparently designed to remind users that Big Brother does, indeed, have a virtual eye on them. China routinely patrols the Internet for content that the Communist Party deems offensive or subversive, but nudity, profanity, and gambling, as well as pirated music, books and film, are still widely available.

In this image released Tuesday Aug. 28, 2007 by the Beijing Public Security Bureau, shown is cartoon figures of "virtual police". Police in Beijing said Tuesday they will soon begin patrolling the web... (Associated Press)

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Cute caricatures will pop up, steer users clear of risqué content

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China Unleashes Web Cops

Cute caricatures will pop up, steer users clear of risqué content

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

China • Internet • Communist Party • Internet security • cyber police • Big Brother

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Internet Users Slam Chinese Censorship

As top sites are banned, web surfers rail against 'Great Firewall'

Hackers Hit Internet Giant VeriSign

Firm is responsible for delivering people to more than half of all websites

Chinese Mock 'Worst Photoshop Ever'

Nation laughs at pic of levitating officials

China Accuses US of Waging 'Internet War'

Sees 'shadow of America' behind Arab uprisings, urges tighter controls

Chinese Prisoners Forced to Play Online Games

Prisoners earn credits that guards flip for cash

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?