Experts: Punishments law misinterpreted

Legal experts have described as misinterpretations the recent claims of public security penalties for the private sharing of indecent content between relatives and friends, emphasizing that the revised law specifically targets "obscene information", and not "indecent content".

The Law on Penalties for Administration of Public Security, which will take effect on Jan 1, stipulates that disseminating obscene content via information networks, telephones or other communication tools will carry penalties of 10 to 15 days' detention and fines of up to 5,000 yuan ($710). Minor cases can incur up to five days' detention or fines of 1,000 to 3,000 yuan, with heavier penalties for content involving minors.

Some media reports have further interpreted this by saying that starting next year, even sending indecent photos or videos in private chats could lead to legal penalties if reported and verified. The reports triggered fierce public debate.