Two of those detained for Internet-related offences have died in custody, apparently as a result of torture or ill-treatment at the hands of the police. Both are members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which was banned as a "heretical organization" in July 1999.
"As the Internet industry continues to expand in China, the government continues to tighten controls on on-line information. These have included the filtering or blocking of some foreign websites, the creation of special Internet police, the blocking of search engines and actions to shut down websites which post information on corruption or articles critical of government," Amnesty International said.
In late August China blocked access to the Google Internet search engine for a brief period, diverting users to local Chinese search engines instead. In recent weeks, Beijing has shifted tactics again, opening up some previously blocked Web sites, but making it impossible for users to open documents on those sites that relate to China. The Ministry of State Security has reportedly installed tracking devices on Internet service providers to monitor individual email accounts and all Internet cafes are required to register and inform the police about their customers.
"As the Internet industry continues to expand in China, the government continues to tighten controls on on-line information. These have included the filtering or blocking of some foreign websites, the creation of special Internet police, the blocking of search engines and actions to shut down websites which post information on corruption or articles critical of government," Amnesty International said.
In late August China blocked access to the Google Internet search engine for a brief period, diverting users to local Chinese search engines instead. In recent weeks, Beijing has shifted tactics again, opening up some previously blocked Web sites, but making it impossible for users to open documents on those sites that relate to China. The Ministry of State Security has reportedly installed tracking devices on Internet service providers to monitor individual email accounts and all Internet cafes are required to register and inform the police about their customers.