China seems to have given up on the idea of ordering computer users to install pirated security software on their machines that will stop them looking at porn. The software "Green Dam Youth Escort" was built using code from a US security company without its permission. China wanted all PCs in the country to use the software.

However now it seems to have toned down its demands. Instead the software will come with every PC that is flogged in mainland China. A Ministry of Industry and Information Technology official told AP that use of the software is "not compulsory".

The software has been widely laughed at by Chinese bloggers who point out that it blocks people seeing pictures of pigs because they have too much naked pink flesh. The official China Daily newspaper trumpeted the news on its front page with the headline "Porn-filtering software: It's up to users".

But the government has told computer makers the software must either be installed on the hard drive or enclosed on a compact disc. PC makers will be required to tell authorities how many computers they have shipped with the software, which is made by a Chinese developer under contract with the government.