Andre Yoskowitz
28 Dec 2012 23:15
The Chinese government has passed a new law that will require all citizens to identify themselves with ID when signing up for Internet and mobile phone services. Users most also post content under their own names.
Officials for the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress say the rules will help protect personal information and also 'safeguard public interests.'
China is already infamous for its "Great Firewall," in which the Internet is highly censored, blocking pornography and gambling sites while also blocking social media like Twitter and Facebook. China has 550 million Internet users, the most in the world, but a low saturation given the nation has 1.3 billion inhabitants.
The new rules should help the government crack down even harder on bloggers or site owners who post content that is not "acceptable," including any dissent of the party.
Recently, the party's image took a hit after activists posted information on officials who "maintained extramarital affairs, snapped up property and luxury items and covered up allegations of wrongdoing by family members," says BBG.