China proposed a law that would put more responsibility at the feet of Internet companies when it comes to monitoring online content, according to The Wall Street Journal.The proposal suggests that Chinese authorities are trying to further cleanse social networks and the Internet of information deemed "destabilizing," according to the Journal.
A draft of the new law, released Thursday, revealed two potentially landmark changes. First, users of Internet forums, blogs and microblogs would be required to use legitimate identification when they register for accounts. In addition, the government would be allowed to "punish intermediaries" for facilitating the spread of illegal information.
Last December, the government initiated a real-identification policy in five cities, including Shanghai and Beijing, which together account for some 42 million people. Operators of the country's two biggest microblogs, Sina and Tencent, said that the program slowed user growth, according to the Journal.
The article cites analysts who say that there may be a gap between what the law proposes and what is actually possible at this time.
Apple Could Get Tastier in China
Apple is planning to incorporate Baidu's search engine to its lineup of Web tools for the iPhone, according to Bloomberg.
The addition of Baidu, which is China's biggest search engine, could be announced as soon as next week, according to the article.
Folding Baidu into the iPhone repertoire is in line with new Apple CEO Tim Cook's emphasis on China. In March, Cook visited iPhone manufacturer and met with Chinese government officials.
Last quarter, 20 percent of Apple's sales came from China, and Cook has said that he thinks there is room for growth.
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