Best Reviews logo
Best Reviews may receive compensation for its content through paid collaborations. See how we sustain our work & review products.
China Approves New Internet Censorship Laws

China Approves New Internet Censorship Laws

By Leo S. Leo S. Verified by Sander D. Sander D.Last updated: November 29, 2024 (0)
Table of contents

We all know that China is one of those countries where individual liberties and general freedom is close to inexistent. Recently the country intensified this tendency by approving further online censorship laws, which not only allow the government to put hands on every piece of information, but also forces Chinese ISPs to store record logs for a period of 6 months. All this comes as an addition to the world-famous Great Firewall that is already in place, regulating the internet access of over 700 million users.

Storing records and deleting content

With this bill, Chinese ISPs will be forced to hold record logs of hundreds of millions of users, and to hand in information upon request to the country’s different legal authorities. Furthermore, the government now has the ability to fully censor or even delete any content from blogs, forums, social media comments, to photos and videos published online by anyone, while claiming that this measure was necessary to assure national security. For instance, content that could disrupt the economic and social order, or could incite to topple the socialist system will be forbidden to be published, and Chinese messaging apps will only accept registrations from citizens that confirm their identities. Legal companies – either they are Chinese or foreign – are also forced to cooperate with the government in legal questions or criminal investigations.

A common practice in strict regimes

China is known for imposing internet blocks on social media like Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter or YouTube (just to name the usual targets) quite often using The Great Firewall. In fact, the country is not the only one enforcing online censorship: others like Turkey has also been implementing similar measures on its citizens, although on a smaller scale. However, we cannot stop wondering to what extent forcing ISPs to hold record logs of millions for six months, and snooping upon social media comments could increase the number of Chinese VPN users, considering the existence of the aforementioned extra layer of repression.

Up to 72% off NordVPN 2-year plans
NordVPN logo
Subscribe to NordVPN through our affiliate link and save up to 72% on 2-year plans. Do it with no fear by knowing that your purchase is protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Save Up to 74% on NordVPN

Notwithstanding, it is exactly the Great Firewall that will be responsible for applying the censorship, as users can get sentenced for three years in jail, for sharing defamatory content about the government, in case it has been shared over 500 times or reached 5,000 views.

As a final note, in addition to internet, the movie industry will fall under the same censoring rules too.

China Censorship

Best VPN services of 2025

Editor's choice
NordVPN logo
Editor's rating:
(4.5)
Intuitive multiplatform apps
Double VPN and P2P support
Plenty of security features
Large VPN network with consistent speeds
Security
Surfshark logo
Editor's rating:
(4)
Intuitive multiplatform apps
Double VPN
WireGuard protocol
Outstanding device support
Multi-device users
IPVanish logo
Editor's rating:
(4.5)
Unlimited devices
No-log policy
24/7 support
Reliable security tools
Gaming
ExpressVPN logo
Editor's rating:
(4)
Extensive device support
Exceptional speed
Intuitive apps
Convenient extras
Traveling
CyberGhost VPN logo
Editor's rating:
(4.5)
Suitable for all VPN users
Great security features
Seven simultaneous connections
24/7 customer support
Streaming
ZoogVPN logo
Editor's rating:
(4.5)
24/7 customer service
Competitive price
Good connection speed
Based in Greece
Torrenting
Private Internet Access logo
Editor's rating:
(4.5)
Unlimited devices
DNS leak protection
Suitable for all users
Completely customizable
Beginners
TunnelBear logo
Editor's rating:
(4)
Very easy and fun to use
Kill switch and traffic obfuscato
Browser extensions and Chrome blocker
Good speeds

User feedback

 Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Best Reviews

Best Reviews may receive compensation for its content through paid collaborations and/or affiliate links. Learn more about how we sustain our work and review products.

©2012-2025 Best Reviews, a clovio brand – All rights reserved
Privacy policy · Cookie policy · Terms of use · Partnerships · Contact us