False addresses impede police efforts to crack down on prostitution, report says

Responding to media reports about the use of Baidu digital maps to facilitate prostitution, Baidu Map pledged to strictly examine and update its data.

Legal Daily on Wednesday generated wide public attention with a report about a loophole in the mapping service that was exploited by underground entertainment venues involved in prostitution. The venues registered “points of interest” on the maps using false information, the report said.

A POI, or point of interest, is a specific location that someone may find useful or interesting on a digital map. After approval, any entity may show their location on the map free of charge.

Organizing prostitution is illegal under China’s Criminal Law, and those who recruit, hire, lure or force people to provide sexual services are typically subject to five years to life in prison.

Anyone who hires a prostitute or who offers sex services

A thorough examination was carried out immediately after we learned of the media reports and we removed all the POIs in question.” Baidu Map

can be punished under the Security Administration Punishment Law, up to a maximum of 15 days’ detention and