Integrity system to target Net dishonesty

SHANGHAI - Internet users in the municipality with a history of online dishonesty may be barred from certain business activities in real life, a senior official from Shanghai said on Wednesday.

"Those who lied or cheated during online transactions or other online activities may not be eligible to apply for mortgage loans and credit cards," said Zhang Xuebing, chief of the Shanghai municipal public security bureau.

The new rule by the city authorities is a preparatory step for the gradual establishment of credit archives that catalogue Internet users in the municipality. He said the measures send a clear message that "dishonesty online will lead to restrictions in all fields".