To “safeguard public interests” the Chinese government has passed new set of rules for internet users on Friday, December 28 . As a result of these new requirements, Chinese users are require to provide their real names when they are signing up for internet, mobile phone and fixed phone services. In addition to this, the new law also demands all service providers give a persons name when they allow them to post a piece of information to public forums.
These new rules are sanctioned by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. The reasoning for the new regulation is to block the access of China’s 550 million internet users to gambling and pornography sites. Another motivator is the government’s efforts to stop and remove online content that is against the Communist Party.
The ruling party is hoping to restrict some freedoms of speech with the new laws because previous online incidents have was greatly tarnished the party’s image. Online activists have used different social networking websites and platforms to expose the corruption of officials by giving out details of their luxury products, properties, extra marital affairs and even the wrong doings of their close relatives.
Expressing his views on these new laws, Zhang Zhi’an a professor at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou said that “Anti-corruption campaigns online have deeply tarnished the party and the government’s image,and social media discussions have increased instability in certain regions. Enforcing real name registration will make web users more cautious when posting comments online.”
The ratified rules will also help the Chinese government not only to control organized descent, rumours and protests by internal activists, but it will also be able to ban external websites or platforms that speak out against the regime. American website New York Times has already been completely banned by the authorities. Moreover, Chinese internet users are facing problems accessing various Google services, especially at the current sensitive moment with the new laws being put into action.
Furthermore, the Chinese government is not happy with only implementing the current rules and is looking to further strengthen their control on internet traffic in the country. The countries official internet chief has called for “more research on how to strengthen the construction, operation and management of the Internet and promote mainstream online themes”.
Photo: CBC
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