The state-level Chinese government agency responsible for censoring media output in the country may soon have a cryptographer on the payroll – and with expertise in blockchain technology.

The research center of the State Administration of Press – which is directly administrated by the State Council – is looking for a cryptographer who "keeps abreast of the most advanced cryptography applications in areas such as blockchain."

According to the job description published by the government agency on Tuesday, the ideal candidate would be a technologist with strong skill-set in cryptography algorithms and performance optimization.

Other responsibilities will be researching and developing tools for measuring the security level of different cryptography applications.

The job description, however, does not offer much indication of the agency's plans regarding blockchain.

Although it may not be related, the post comes at a time when blockchain is being increasingly used to bypass China's pervasive web censorship – often dubbed the "Great Firewall" – in an effort to keep censored articles available to the public. Examples include an expose of a firm involved in China's recent vaccine scandal and an effort by the #metoo movement in the country to not be silenced.

Founded in 1946, the State Administration of Press directly is administrated by the State Council, but reports to the propaganda department of the Chinese Communist Party. It is known for its role as a top censor with the remit of controlling information produced by all types of mass media in China, including TV, radio, newspaper and the internet.

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