An internet cafe in Beijing. Photo: Liu Jin/AFP/Getty ImagesPolice have told cafes, hotels and other businesses in central Beijing to install monitoring technology for Wi-fi users or face fines and possible closure of a further tightening internet of controls.
China has the world's largest and most sophisticated censorship and web monitoring system, as it has tightened still further after the Middle Eastern uprisings. Measures included blocking large virtual private networks allow people to evade internet controls.
The new software, which costs about 20,000 yuan (£ 1.900) permits officials to verify the identities of users and monitor their activity. Companies that do not comply face a fine of the same size and could have their licenses revoked.
Strict control is already at the Internet cafes which poorer people rely on access.
It is unclear how the measures will be strictly enforced, and it appears that only Dongcheng district has told owners of the regulations. A member of staff at its internet safety unit said the initiative was the city-wide, but the Beijing police headquarters had not responded to a corrections query at the time of writing.
Dongcheng policeman added: "this Regulation shall be made, to improve internet security and assist the public safety offices to break criminal cases. Details on implementation are confidential. "
According to the New York Times said a message from the District Office measure would solve offenders seeking to "carry out extortion, goods traffic, gamble, spreading harmful information and disseminate computer viruses".
"This is undoubtedly an invasion of Wi-Fi users ' privacy," said Jason Chen, 22-year-old Beijing resident.
"We have already felt the restriction on University campuses because they have always been monitored. But this time, the control extends to cafes and people's sense of violation is sharper. If cafes cancel their Wi-Fi in will care a lot, and I think young people will react strongly. "
Some venues in Dongcheng complained that they already lose custom after cutting off the Wi-Fi.
"It is just incredible. Our customers are not happy either, "said Leona Zhang, manager Contempio bar.
"Some owners just think this is for the public safety offices to make money from us. The appendix is the same regardless of size, even for small with only two or three tables. "
Companies in other parts of Beijing said they had not heard of the measure.
"If the regulation was implemented here, it would struggle to be accepted. Cost is too high, "said a worker at the New seven day Bar in Haidian.
"That is also the privacy of our customers to protect."
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