The Chinese government has arrested over 15,000 people for violating cyber security laws as Beijing continues to clamp down on growing cybercrimes.

According to the Ministry of Public Security, the suspects were arrested on Tuesday for cybercrimes including online fraud, hacking and the sale of personal data.

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Authorities have investigated over 7,400 cases of cybercrimes since July, when a six month campaign to clean and rid the internet of cyber criminals and pornography was launched.

Although officials did specify the details of the arrests, the swoop seems to be part of an intensified effort to stiffen China's internet laws.

"For the next step, the public security organs will continue to increase their investigation and crackdown on cybercrimes," a Ministry statement read.

The campaign code-named "Cleaning the Internet" targets over 66,000 websites and online criminal gangs perpetrating cybercrimes. Law enforcement officials are currently investigating websites providing illegal and harmful information. These include advertising explosives, firearms, gambling and pornography adverts.

China has seen a rise in the crackdown of cybercrimes, especially hacking and identity theft since President Xi Jingping took the helm of government in 2013. The Communist Party has since reached a consensus on the need for stronger internet control.

The government has launched the "Great Firewall", an internet censorship program considered one of the most sophisticated in the world. The program focuses on controlling dissidents from publishing materials that could be undermining to the government and the Communist Party.

On March 1^st, Beijing instituted a law that requires people to use only their real names online. The new law prohibits accounts that impersonates people or organizations.

The government has since banned western social media networks Twitter, Facebook and YouTube from operating in the country. Several private networks used to view blocked sites have also been disabled since the start of this year.

TagsChina Crackdown on Cybercrime, China Cybercrime Law, China Cybersecurity, China Cleaning the Internet, China Cyber Security Strategy, China Cyber Security Plan