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China Orders Internet Comments Linked To Real Identities (engadget.com)
A (truly) anonymous Slashdot reader quotes Engadget:
China isn't slowing down in its bid to silence online political opposition. As of October 1st, the country will require that tech firms hold on to records of the real identities of everyone posting comments on internet message boards. This is to discourage "false rumors, filthy language and illegal messages," according to the government. Of course, it's that last part that Chinese officials are really interested in -- they know you're less likely to challenge the political order if investigators can easily track you down.
The timing of this identity requirement, the VPN restriction and other crackdowns (such as an investigation into internet giants for allowing material that "harms the social order") isn't coincidental. China's ruling party has its next national congress later in 2017, and it has a habit of ramping up censorship around these gatherings to discourage criticism of party policies.
The timing of this identity requirement, the VPN restriction and other crackdowns (such as an investigation into internet giants for allowing material that "harms the social order") isn't coincidental. China's ruling party has its next national congress later in 2017, and it has a habit of ramping up censorship around these gatherings to discourage criticism of party policies.
Oh sweet summer child, you don't think it'll be everywhere soon? The Wild West is ending, the internet is for govt and big business.
You know it is a whole lot more likely that we get to where the chinese, and many other countries, are through the back door, of lawsuits, liability judgements and insurance companies. Western societies are often more constrained by such than by actual law and government regulation.
Actually, China is a right-winger dream: uber-capitalist, lax regulations, no meaningful minimum wage, no environmental protection. Add to that an authoritarian government that doesn't tolerate anything non-traditional (LGBTs, foreign religions, porn) and you get the wet dreams of right-wingers.