TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The contents of what are inside claw machines have been evolving to cater to players’ changing interests, but now adult toys have found their way into claw machines near schools in central Taiwan’s Taichung City in broad daylight.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Huang Kuo-shu (黃國書) and Taichung City Councilor Huang Shou-ta (黃守達) said they had received reports from citizens that many claw machines filled with pornographic contents have popped up in the neighborhoods of many schools in the city, Central News Agency (CNA) reported.
They added that sex toys and other adult products were spotted inside claw machines near a junior high school in the city’s South District. Huang Shou-ta said he found that the store was not staffed, but the machines were replenished as soon as they became empty, an indication that the business was brisk, according to CNA.
Huang Kuo-shu said it’s a violation of the Protection of Children and Youths Welfare and Rights Act if claw machines with adult products are installed at venues accessible to everyone, per CNA.
In response, Taichung’s Economic Development Bureau (EDB) said the city government will inspect venues reported by schools or local police as suspects of harming children’s health, adding that they will also look into many aspects of the businesses behind the venues to determine whether they are operating lawfully.
The city’s Social Affairs Bureau, Health Bureau, and Police Department will handle cases of claw machines found containing sex products or tobacco according to applicable laws, the EDB said.