Beijing has banned sending pornographic text messages or pictures via mobile phones after busting phone dealers who sold mass-storage devices containing porn, state media reported on March 28.
Violators face fines of up to 3,000 yuan (385 dollars) and two weeks in detention, Xinhua news agency reported, quoting city public security authorities. Those who sell such content face jail terms between six months and three years, it said.
Pornography in any form is banned in China but state media reports have signalled a rise in porn traffic as Internet and mobile phone use increases.