Watching porn alone is fine, but don’t post it in groups, sell “resources,” or create groups

Watching porn privately is perfectly legal and not prohibited by law. However, posting it in a group counts as distributing it to everyone in that group. Penalties include detention from 10 to 15 days and fines up to 5,000 yuan; more serious cases may result in up to 2 years in prison. Those who profit by selling or distributing such content face up to 3 years in prison, while repeat or severe offenders may be sentenced to 3–10 years, or even life imprisonment. Creating a group with 30 or more members solely for sharing porn also constitutes a crime — organizers, admins, and primary posters all face criminal charges.

There’s no expense involved. Simply avoid forwarding, saving to group files, or becoming an admin or owner of such groups.

Distributing porn online leads to detention from 10 to 15 days plus fines up to 5,000 yuan. For lesser offenses, penalties may be limited to detention under 5 days or fines between 1,000 and 3,000 yuan. Cases involving minors incur harsher penalties. When distribution reaches “serious” levels, sentences can reach 2 years in prison; profit-driven activities may result in up to 3 years of imprisonment plus fines. Severe cases warrant 3–10 years in prison, while extreme circumstances may lead to life imprisonment or indefinite detention. Establishing a group of 30+ members dedicated to sharing porn also constitutes a criminal act, with organizers, admins, and primary posters all convicted under the same statute nationwide.

Both laws target “distribution” rather than private viewing. Yet posting content in a group is treated as distribution to all members. The exact threshold defining “serious circumstances” is set by judicial interpretation; this section does not specify exact figures.

全国人大常委会 (2025). 治安管理处罚法（2025 年修订，第五十条第一款第五项、第八十条）. https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/202506/t20250627_699863.shtml；全国人大 (2020). 刑法（根据刑法修正案（十一）修正，第三百六十三、三百六十四条）. https://jtgl.beijing.gov.cn/jgj/jgxx/flfg/fl/11033925/index.html；最高人民法院、最高人民检察院 (2010). 关于办理利用互联网、移动通讯终端、声讯台制作、复制、出版、贩卖、传播淫秽电子信息刑事案件具体应用法律若干问题的解释（二）（第三条）. https://www.spp.gov.cn/zdgz/201002/t20100204_25001.shtml