Police in Beijing said they will start patrolling the Web using animated beat officers that pop up on a user's browser and walk, bike or drive across the screen warning them to stay away from illegal Internet content.
Starting on Saturday, the cartoon alerts will appear every half hour on 13 of China's top portals, including Sohu (
The animated police appeared designed to startle Web surfers and remind them that authorities closely monitor Web activity. However, the statement did not say whether there were plans to further boost monitoring.
The male and female cartoon officers, designed for the ministry by Sohu, will offer a text warning to surfers to abide by the law and tips on Internet security as they move across the screen in a virtual car, motorcycle or on foot, it said.
If Internet users need police help they can click on the cartoon images and will be redirected to the authority's Web site, it said.
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