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New Chinese Rule Requires Real Names Online

Posted by samzenpus on from the anonymous-howard dept.

crimeandpunishment writes "According to a human rights group, a leading Chinese Internet regulator is calling for new rules requiring people to use their real names online and when buying mobile phones. New York-based 'Human Rights in China' says it has obtained the complete text of a speech Wang Chen, director of the State Council Information Office, made in April, and they quote him as saying 'We will make the Internet real name system a reality as soon as possible.'"

8 of 193 comments (clear)

  1. It's being done in the US too by SquarePixel · · Score: 5, Insightful

    new rules requiring people to use their real names -- when buying mobile phones

    Just like Chinese, this is required by Apple too. They say it's so that you cannot buy multiple phones, but you still are required to give them your real name when you want to buy a phone. You are only allowed to buy a device with a credit card and they will record your name and phone IMEI.

    The trend in the US seems to be going strongly towards using real names too. Theres Facebook and there just was that Blizzard Forum incident. So it's not really nothing new, but it is just an another "china and communism is bad"-story when pretty much the same is done in the US.

    1. Re:It's being done in the US too by ScrewMaster · · Score: 5, Insightful

      but it is just an another "china and communism is bad"-story when pretty much the same is done in the US.

      Regardless, two wrongs still don't make a right.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    2. Re:It's being done in the US too by interval1066 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      "but it is just an another "china and communism is bad"-story when pretty much the same is done in the US."

      But its not being implemented at the behest of the US Government. Apparently, its not in China either, yet, but; the comments by this Wang Chen of the State Council Information Office would appear to indicate that it will be, very soon. I do not have to (and I do not) use Apple products or Facebook, and I have access to all the digital services I need. The policies of those services are not governmental policies. Big difference that you seem to be ignoring.

      --
      Python: 'And then suddenly you have a language which says "we're all stuck with whatever the whiniest coder wants".'
    3. Re:It's being done in the US too by PopeRatzo · · Score: 3, Insightful

      They say it's so that you cannot buy multiple phones

      I remember that whopper. It's got to be up there with the most transparent lies ever told by a major corporation.

      "You can't buy an iPhone with cash because we're worried that we'll sell too many of them".

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    4. Re:It's being done in the US too by TapeCutter · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "But its not being implemented at the behest of the US Government. Apparently, its not in China either, yet"

      Indeed!
      The headline claims: "New Chinese Rule Requires Real Names Online"
      The first line of the summary says: "...a leading Chinese Internet regulator is calling for new rules requiring people to use their real names online".

      So which is it? - Required, or someone thinks it should be required?

      I know China censor their net but I'm sick and tired of this sort of journalistic hyperbole. It happens with everything, read any story on the Aussie internet and it sounds like I'm living in NK, except in reality none of what Conroy is "calling for" has been implemented and it will probably stay that way.

      Vigillance is a GoodThingTM but the bullshit tsumami that occurs every time some random official opens their mouth is fucking childish.

      --
      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
  2. Re:Does this really do a lot of good? by _Sprocket_ · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Any guess on how many people share the name "Wang Chen" in all of China? Chances are most people could use their real name and still remain relatively anonymous.

    Certain pieces of information are key nodes that link other clusters of information. You're right in so far as a name itself may not be unique and if given nothing but that piece of information, it'd be hard to single out and individual. But real names are very rarely isolated like that. There is usually a entire clusters of information around a name. And this rule would simply ensure that those clusters stay attached to any given individual (or at least - harder to isolate).

  3. Bit late now by EEPROMS · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Am I the only one who sees the weirdness in how people are reacting to the Chinese removing anonymity when western countries have been doing this for years now without so much as a "WTF!!". For example in Italy you cant even walk into a cafe now and go on the internet without some type of ID. Here in Australia if one buys a mobile phone sim card you have to contact the telco and confirm your name and address before they will even let you make calls. This whole thing reminds me of a sad but true saying

    While the State exists, there can be no freedom. When there is freedom there will be no State.- Lenin (1870 - 1924)

  4. Re:On par with USA... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Asking Slashdot for information on wiretaps is like asking Rush Limbaugh for information on Obama's policies, or asking Al Gore for information on climate science. The results may be amusing, but I hope you don't expect them to bear any resemblance to reality.