Shanghai municipal people's congress deputies have proposed enacting a local ordinance banning and penalizing unlawful activities that use short message service (SMS) as a tool.

The legislators made the appeal at the ongoing fourth session of the twelfth municipal people's congress, which runs from January 15 to 20.

Deputies said China at present has no national laws that clearly define SMS-related crimes and clarify the responsibilities of those involved. They said it is imperative for Shanghai to amend the legal loophole and protect mobile phone users' rights. 

The legislators proposed introducing a real name system for subscribing phone numbers and called for tougher regulations on SMS advertising.

In addition, the proposal defines the chief responsibility of SMS operators as well as public security law enforcement powers and the powers of industry and commerce administrative departments.

In a typical SMS fraud, receivers get messages saying they havewon big prizes in a lottery, but they have to pay certain fees or taxes to get their non-existent "prizes".

SMS is also used to promote prostitution, to peddle fake certificates and credentials, or in many other illegal activities.

The deputies also said the value-added service providers have no right to charge without phone users' consent. They appealed for stricter restrictions on such services.

(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2006)