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China Requires Blockchain-Based Information Service Providers To Register Users Using Real Names, Censor Postings and Store User Data (scmp.com)
Chinese users will have to register their real names before they can use online information services based on blockchain, in the first set of rules specifically targeting the technology behind digital currencies like bitcoin that is known for providing anonymity for users. From a report: Under proposed new rules, companies and entities operating in China that provide blockchain-based information services will have to ask users to register their real names and national identification card numbers, censor content deemed to pose a threat to national security and store user data to allow inspection by authorities. The Cyberspace Administration of China published the draft regulations on its website on Friday for public consultation until November 2. It is not clear when the rules will come into effect. The latest rules come after an activist in China published an open letter in April about an alleged cover-up of sexual harassment at a top university more than two decades ago on the ethereum blockchain, after the post attracted censors on social media platforms such as WeChat and Weibo. The anonymous poster attached the letter to an ether transaction to himself, in a move similar to leaving a note in a bank transfer. But since all transaction records are public on ethereum, the letter can be read by anyone.
They are a human rights disaster.
Communist Government requires totalitarian control. Why are Chinese headlines like these meant to be shocking?
... to make it impossible to remove or hide transactions? It would seem that this would outlaw the use of blockchain in China.
Are you troll, or foolish? Whistle-blowers generally anger those in charge who'd like to keep their shady dealings in the dark. If you can report it anonymously, then the whistle-blower's life doesn't have to be ruined. Ask Edward Snowden if you have any questions. There's one example among many.
Now Communism has a problem where any person who doesn't play by the plan can hurt the system. While Capitalism expected no plan, so anyone who does better then nothing, is a net benefit.
Nonsense. It's perfectly possible for someone under a capitalist system to be a drag on the system while making a lot of economic activity. Happens all the time. See the housing crisis in 2008 which was caused by a lot of people acting in their own self interest but eventually crashing the system. Explain to me how Bernie Madoff was a net benefit - I'd love to hear that one...
This creates a tenancy for communism to be more brutal in people following rules.
You mean as opposed to mass incarceration of people for minor offenses, prison camps for Japanese during WWII, Guantanamo Bay, routine murder of minorities by police, near genocide of native peoples, Jim Crow laws, etc - all of which happened in our capitalist society, some rather recently. While I understand and agree that what we call communist countries are generally more towards the dictator end of the spectrum, let's not pretend that capitalist countries have clean hands either. The US has a greater percentage of its population in prison than China does so it's pretty hard to argue that the US isn't rather brutal too - particularly to those without much money.
But Capitalism is often more insidious where the people who have money have the power, however they use their power behind the scenes, and are not the face of power.
That happens in both communist and capitalist societies as well as every other form of economic structure you can think of. That is not unique to capitalism.
The solution is not less anonymity, but more: if your credit card details are kept secure thiefs can't steal from you, and if you could hide your IP cheaters couldn't DDoS you.
I was thinking about it earlier today and it occurred to me: what innovations on the internet have been furthered by anonymity? I can think of a huge number of bad-actors that are supported by it, from Credit Card thieves to hackers and even video game cheaters.
Well, for starters nobody will be banging on your door to beat your ass for this comment.