Crossroads Blog | Institute National Security and Counterterrorism

Identity Management

China seeks to reduce Internet users’ anonymity – Yahoo! News

In this AP news story China seeks to reduce Internet users' anonymity , Wang Chen, director of the Chinese State Council Information Office, is quoted as saying:

"We will make the Internet real name system a reality as soon as possible, implement a nationwide cell phone real name system, and gradually apply the real name registration system to online interactive processes," the journal quoted Wang as saying.

As part of that Internet "real name system," forum moderators would have to use their real names as would users of online bulletin boards, and anonymous comments on news stories would be removed, Wang is quoted as saying.

I see no indication in the story of what policy or method will be used to institute the real name system, such as digital ID's, smart cards, or whatever.  Also, there is no indication of what punishment will be imposed for failure to comply. 

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