A former lawyer surnamed Li revealed on August 7 that prisons in North China's Hebei Province have adopted a mobile application for remote video meetings between inmates and their families. Photo: web

A former lawyer surnamed Li revealed on August 7 that prisons in North China's Hebei Province have adopted a mobile application for remote video meetings between inmates and their families. The application charges 50 yuan ($7) for a 20-minute call, which has sparked controversy online. In response, an employee from the prison stated that face-to-face visits in the prison are free. The video call service is provided by a third-party company appointed by the Hebei Provincial Prison Administration, and the fees are collected by this third-party.

The employee explained that it is quite normal because remote video calls use the app's digital infrastructure and network, saving time and travel expenses for the families.

Although some netizens expressed their lack of understanding regarding the charges, others believed that both inmates and their families have used the resources of the third party to save time. Along with the potential risks of online calls, charging seems justified. Many netizens opined that while the charges by the app may be reasonable, the selection process for third-party services should be more transparent, following proper protocols, and giving families more options.