China just made VPNs illegal

[mxnerd]

https://www.engadget.com/2017/01/23/china-vpn-illegal-internet-censorship-government-approval/

Chinese authorities block access to big-name websites such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and numerous others, and to thwart these restrictions, many residents on the mainland use virtual private networks. Starting this week, that could be a crime. Use of VPNs and special cable connections in China must now be approved by the government, essentially making these services illegal in the country.

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced the new rules on Sunday, as reported by the South China Morning Post. Calling it a "clean-up" of the country's internet connections, the Ministry said the new rules would go live immediately and be in place until March 31st, 2018.

.....

 

[compuwiz1]

How democratic of them...

 

[desura]

HHoly crap that is a big deal.

 

[MajinCry]

Why are they having the rules for just one year? Seems a bit odd.

 

[Double Trouble]

Nothing says "free" better than "we need to control everything you can hear, see or read, for your own good". I thought with the modernization and the economic growth China might start heading in a better direction, but apparently that's not the case.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Nothing says "free" better than "we need to control everything you can hear, see or read, for your own good". I thought with the modernization and the economic growth China might start heading in a better direction, but apparently that's not the case.

We're moving in a similar direction with the government making the illegal legal by changes in interpretation. But since it's all for the Greater Good we should- no must through the powers protecting us as we sleep surrender our privacy!

For the asshat in the crowd that is sarcasm.

 

[Denithor]

Those in power want to stay in power. Nothing new here.

 

[Ns1]

So do business travelers request a a waiver or something? Because that's the only way some companies allow access to their internal networks for business travelers....
//edit

guess it helps to read

As The Washington Post points out, China's new VPN and cable regulations are purposefully vague. It's unclear how the government will implement or enforce these rules, but the language in the announcement suggests Chinese officials are taking aim at companies who provide VPN services to individual citizens, rather than professionals working for multinational corporations in the country.

 

[mxnerd]

Just searched VPN keyword on Baidu's forum http://teiba.baidu.com and nothing comes out. It's completely blocked.

China's government's Skynet is ripping citizens' rights to reach outside world.