China has proposed a new national internet ID system, sparking concerns about privacy and free speech. The draft regulations call for all users to have a national internet ID. Critics argue this will further restrict online speech in China’s already tightly controlled cyberspace.
The government says it will help combat issues like cyber-bullying. However, many worry it will be used to track and punish those who criticize the government. It could allow authorities to monitor citizens’ online activities more closely.
China’s proposed internet identification
“The digital ID plan is like a monitor for everyone’s online activities,” said Lao Dongyan, a law professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing. “Accessing the internet could become a privilege that requires permission.”
Lao, who has nearly 800,000 followers on Weibo, had her account muted for 90 days after criticizing the plan.
She questioned the need for the system, noting that over a billion internet users in China already register under real-name policies. The proposal marks a significant shift in how Chinese citizens interact with the internet. Online anonymity may become increasingly rare in the future.
As the 30-day public consultation period on the draft regulations ends, the debate continues. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between government control and individual privacy rights in China’s digital landscape.
