China targets Alibaba's Taobao and other sites in ongoing internet crackdown

They were reportedly damaging computer information systems tools, and selling illegal Virtual Private Networks (VPN).

Yeo Kaiqi | August 18, 2017, 10:51 AM

China's state online censorship regime has tightened further as regulators target five major sites, including internet giant Alibaba's Taobao and music-streaming service Xiami Music for alleged skirting of government controls.

These sites have reportedly been "damaging computer information systems tools, and selling prohibited items, illegal Virtual Private Networks (VPN), and internet accounts".

On Aug 17, these sites have been issued warnings to "carry out immediate self-examination and correction",  according to a notice posted by the Zhejiang provincial branch of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), China's top cyber regulator.

They were found to have infringed regulations under "Cyber Security Law", "Regulation on Internet Information Service", and the "Provisions for the Administration of Internet News Information Services".

Taobao was issued a warning to carry out an "overhaul" on its hosting of illegal products and e-vendors.

Other sites have been ordered to halt new user registrations, suspend services, and punish their staff.

The notice did not specify the date of the deadline by which the sites have to complete the rectifications.

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Earlier this year, China had ordered a clampdown on VPN applications to prevent domestic access to unapproved foreign sites.

Last week, Chinese authorities also targeted content on Tencent, Weibo and Baidu, as they were found to contain information related to "the incitement of violence, porn and rumours".

The extensive internet crackdown is expected to last till the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party, which will be held sometime this autumn.

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