China vets the net

The Chinese government has issued new guidelines forcing internet service providers (ISPs) to screen all emails for political content.

ISPs will be held responsible for any anti-government content that leaks through.

Foreign software manufacturers have also been hit with the restrictions.

They will now have to sign a guarantee that their products contain no programs allowing spying or hacking.

The guidelines' list the types of information to be prohibited from websites, including documents that reveal state secrets, any information that could tarnish the country's reputation or anything that could be seen to encourage readers to rebel against the communist government.

For related news, see
Microsoft puts pen to paper in China
http://www.silicon.com/a50549
Cyber-terrorists take to the internet
http://www.silicon.com/a50268
IDC: Happy days are here again, and they're made in China
http://www.silicon.com/a50198

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