Anyone who tries to publish scenes caught on video monitors in public places showing people engaged in intimate moments will face fines up to 30,000-yuan (US$3,937), the Beijing Morning Post reported today.

Beijing police have begun a campaign to regulate the city's electronic eyes. Individuals and companies who set up video monitors in public areas without approval will be fined 10,000 yuan to 30,000 yuan, and company executives will also have pay the fine, the report said.

Those who shoot and publish intimate scenes between couples or of women suffering a "wardrobe malfunction'' will be severely punished, the report said.

Video monitors have to be set up in major public areas such as traffic hubs, infrastructures and units, the report said.

If the monitor fails to work when crimes happen, companies running or installing the monitor will shoulder the responsibility, the report said.

Individuals and companies must report to local public security departments if planning to set up electronic eyes, and they must safeguard pictures that invade people's privacy, the report said.

(Shanghai Daily July 3, 2007)