BEIJING (AFP) – – China has delayed a plan requiring that all new computers come with a Chinese-made Internet filtering software programme, state media reported Tuesday, hours before it was to take effect.

China had planned to implement the controversial rule beginning Wednesday but it has been postponed, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

“The pre-installation was delayed as some computer producers said such a massive installation demanded extra time,” Xinhua said, quoting an unnamed ministry spokesman.

The spokesman did not give a new timetable for the software to be installed.

“The ministry would also keep on soliciting opinions to perfect the pre-installation plan,” he was quoted saying.

The move is likely to be hailed by foreign and domestic critics who have accused the government of trying to increase already tight controls over the Internet.

These claims were rejected by the spokesman, Xinhua said, quoting him as saying assertions in some foreign media that the software was an intrusion of privacy were “groundless” and “irresponsible”.

Computer makers had been told that from July 1, they must either pre-install the Green Dam Youth Escort software or include it on a disc accompanying all new personal computers sold in the country.

Full Story: AFP/Yahoo PH