Police said that the unnamed Beijing-based telecom technology company began posting sexually explicit material on their website in 2005, charging visitors 26 cents (U.S.) per click. The website had attracted 8.6 million clicks, with 1.3 million downloads since 2005.
Persons caught sending obscene text messages or pictures via mobile phone in China face a fine of up to $385 (U.S.) and two weeks' detention. Selling obscene content can lead to a jail sentence between six months and three years. If an obscene website receives more than 250,000 clicks, the operators face jail terms ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, according to Chinese law.
The latest arrests are part of a campaign China launched last month to curb the spread of online pornography. Police have since closed 1,450 websites and deleted more than 30,000 allegedly obscene messages.