China Monitors Internet Cafe Users

Last month, the Chinese province of Jiangxi introduced a new admission card constraint to the entire 3,200 Internet casinos in the area. In an attempt to crack down on computer crimes and lawbreaking offenses, the card will work as an identifying device for authorities, to assist in screening Internet user's activities.

The admission card requires computer users to fill out a registration form, including their Name, age and address. This information is then recorded and stored in a police database system. Internet customers will have to buy a card when entering an Internet casino; which is run through an identifying device when they go online.

Authorities who are appointed to oversee the new system will be signaled if a user tries to enter an illegal site, such as pornography, gambling, foreign media and religious and human rights groups. Apparently, Special Forces also sift through e-mail messages, as well as surf the network for illicit material.

An unidentified representative for the computer offense division in the regional center of Nanchang, commented on the new system, saying, "This system gives us more power to prevent crimes and identify criminals on the Internet."