China is set to widen its ban on sharing obscene material to include content sent through mobile phones and online messaging platforms, with the revised law taking effect on January 1, 2026.
Under the updated rules, individuals found disseminating obscene content via information networks, telephone services or other communication tools could face up to 15 days’ detention and fines of up to 5,000 yuan. Harsher penalties will apply in cases involving minors.
The expanded wording has raised public concern that the law could be used to target private sexually explicit messages exchanged between consenting adults. However, legal experts quoted by state media say the changes are not intended to criminalise private one-to-one communication.
According to legal scholars, the revision mainly reflects technological developments and updates financial penalties, while detention limits remain unchanged. They stress that Chinese law draws a clear distinction between material that is legally defined as “obscene” and content that may simply be considered “indecent.”
Ji Ying, an associate professor of law at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said obscenity is determined through established legal standards and judicial review, not personal interpretation. Other experts echoed that view, noting that indecency alone does not meet the legal threshold for prosecution.
Zhu Wei, an associate professor at the China University of Political Science and Law told RT the primary aim of the law is to protect children and maintain online safety. He added that authorities must obtain warrants and formal investigation documents before accessing data on personal devices.
Recent prosecutions have largely involved large-scale distribution rather than private use. In one case, administrators of a group on the QQ messaging platform were convicted after failing to stop the circulation of hundreds of explicit videos. In another, a man was sentenced after sending explicit material to more than 100 school-aged girls, alongside other serious offences.
China has long prohibited pornography, with enforcement historically focused on production, distribution and public sharing rather than private behaviour. Officials say the revised law continues that approach while addressing the realities of modern digital communication.
Image credit: Camilo Jiminez
Same oppressive crap we are seeing in the West. Always dressed up in the claim of protecting children, when in fact, its about chilling on line communication between people of all kinds, in order to push the official government narrative. All they really accomplish by this, is bringing revolution ever closer when people have had enough, of their freedoms, being eroded.
I dont mind if this kind of ” freedom” is eroded !!
Mate, you’re talking about an ESSENTIAL freedom here, the freedom of expression!
And spare us the “dressed up in the claim of protecting children”, to which Globalistsuck succinctly eluded.
And he is right: people have enough!
Talk to the youth (they don’t answer polls;) and you’ll be amazed. They do not only have ENOUGH. They realize that they have NOTHING!
And even more: They have to slave off inter-generational DEBT that YOU boomers enslaved them with.
You go on X or TickTock. There is a tsunami of public opinion brooding.
And the friggin’ pollies are sh*tting their pants, at least the ones with a brain and not just arrogance.
And the death-knells of MSM belong onto the same funeral pyre.
Sorry for the discourse.
Or actually not.
This is just a tsunami warning.