DOI: 10.7256/2306-9945.2020.2.33152

Abstract: This article examines the basis of legal regulation and Internet censorship in China. The genesis, development and relevant regulatory basis of legal regulation of Internet in China is examined. The author comes to the conclusion that on the one hand, Internet in China is subject to tight control due to the rapid development of technologies of observation and increase of police access to user data. Currently, China is one of the leaders in engineering and export of automated instruments for monitoring social networks. The citizens face restrictions based on the control of login accounts that give access to the Internet; blockchain apps and their developers are also subject to control and must provide registration of real names of the users; international corporations, such as Apple, Microsoft, Linkedin, are forced to bend to the demands of Chinese authorities and help to determine and punish the users who do not adhere to the censorship requirements in China. On the other hand, Chinese government makes everything possible for the large scale implementation of information technologies into socioeconomic life of the country, namely industrial and commercial sectors. Usage of internet in the sphere of sociopolitical life restricted, since China justifiably sees a threat to political stability and social security of the country.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2020.2.33153

Abstract: This article examines the Chinese normative acts that regulate personal data protection. The author reviews the questions of restrictions pertaining to personal life due to introduction of social score system. Analysis is conducted on the “system of social rating” (“social credit”) formed on the basis of government services. The article presents the examples of civil right restrictions due to low rating in the sphere of employment, public housing, reception of subsidies, basic social benefits, and loans at low interest rates. The practice of “social condemnation”, when the short clips are shown before the main film in a movie theatre naming local people who have failed to pay off debt. The conclusion is made that the social score system controls activity of a person in all spheres of social life – from business to family relations, from credit default to violation of traffic rules. The author notes that biggest unfairness of this system pertains to the citizens who buy videogames, spent long time in social network, spread fake news, which leads to restriction of high-speed Internet. It is also underlines that there is virtually no legal framework for implementation of such system or legal acts that regulate the score system, and the corresponding “guiding recommendations” of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China contain pretty vague formulations.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2020.1.33151

Abstract: The subject of this research is the level of content of China’s users with the provided services on the Internet access. The article examines the technical characteristics of information and communication networks in China, coverage of territory with the services of mobile Internet. Attention is given to preferences of Chinese Internet users with regards to services of information and telecommunication companies. The article is dedicated to examination of sociology of the Internet in China; reviews the question of age and gender stratification, preferences in using separate apps, software and services using the Internet; economic preferences of Chinese Internet users. The author comes to the conclusion the over the recent years the Internet in China took a quantum leap at the level of infiltration into society, as well as technical support means. Taking into account the emergence of 5G technologies, there is high potential for development. The author underlines that the government policy in the area of Internet formed a particular behavior pattern of Chinese users – they are presented as responsible and disciplined, eager to pay for the content, actively use subscription services, and demonstrate increase in Internet usage. A conclusion is made that the potential for development of digital economy in the country is especially high.