Cybercrime crackdown targets porn, personal information and at-risk teens

Police nationwide have resolved about 37,000 cases of cybercrime and arrested over 80,000 suspects as of mid-October, and notable progress has been made in cracking down on cybercrimes, the Ministry of Public Security said on Thursday.

Administrative penalties have been handed down to over 20,000 internet enterprises and organizations amid the ongoing operation, named Jingwang 2021, which seeks to target cybercrimes.

Public security organs are focusing on prominent examples of online crime and disruption such as the infringement of personal information, telecoms and network fraud, online gambling, pornography and hacking.

Some 3,900 cases of the illegal collection, provision and reselling of personal information have been successfully resolved, with the arrests over 4,600 suspects and 500 industry insiders.

Administration of key areas, such as capital settlement, technology development and material supply and promotion, has been strengthened to curb crimes related to telecoms and network fraud and online gambling, and 16,600 cases of network support for fraud and gambling have been resolved with 49,000 suspects arrested.

More than 60 cases of online pornography endangering teenagers have been resolved and more than 300 people prosecuted. Police also shut down 16 pornographic websites involving minors and busted four groups producing and selling underage pornographic materials.

Police have stepped up early warnings and intervention in the behavior of minors, targeting the issues of suicide and self-harm. They are also cooperating with education departments on prevention and dissuasion. So far, 90 young people who attempted suicide have been saved.