Shanxi New Regulation: No Mass Text Messaging (SMS) Without Government Approval
Shanxi Provincial Communication Administration recently issued a new regulation restricting mass text messaging (Short Message Service) over cell phones. The regulation mandates self-censorship by information services providers and requires government approval for dissemination of content pertaining to national security and social unrests.
The regulation titled "Opinion on Further Strengthening the Control of Text Messaging Dissemination" that was issued on July 18, 2007 by Shanxi Provincial Communication Administration.[1] Information services businesses must review the content in the acquisition, development, processing and dissemination of information and shall not provide any information, the dissemination of which is prohibited by the state, reported Xinhua News Agency.[2]
"The Opinion provides that the dissemination of certain important content must be pre-approved by relevant government department before such dissemination. For content pertaining to national security, social stability, people＇s livelihood, personal safety, major natural disasters, public emergencies, if the dissemination thereof is to be province-wide, the content provider must present the written opinion of the provincial government or provincial leaders. If such content is to be disseminated citywide, the content provider must present the written opinion of local government or local government leaders."[3]
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