Real names required for microblogs
Source: Xinhua |
December 17, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE popular adage, "On the Internet, nobody knows you are a dog," may not ring true for long as authorities in Beijing have ordered real name registrations on microblogging services.
Government agencies published new rules yesterday requiring users of the country's Twitter-like microblogging services to provide their true identities when registering for microblog accounts.
According to the rules on Beijing's microblog management, which took immediate effect, web users need to give their real names to website administrators before being allowed to put up microblog posts.
Bloggers, however, are free to choose their screen names, said a spokesman with the Beijing Internet Information Office (BIIO), the city's web content management authority.
"The new rules are aimed at protecting web users' interests and improving credibility on the web," he said.
The official said the move will help microblogging service providers enhance trustworthiness, establish name brands and improve the quality of their services.
The rules were issued jointly by the city's public security bureau, communication administration and Internet information office and the Beijing government's press office.
According to the new rules, web users need to register using authentic identities when applying for microblog IDs, which will enable them to write, publish and share postings.Web users do not have to apply for an ID to browse posts, the document said.
The new rules ban individuals and organizations from posting and duplicating illegal content, including information that leaks state secrets, damages national security and interests, and instigates ethnic resentment, discrimination or illegal rallies that disrupt social order.
Meanwhile, the rules require websites to get approval from the Internet Information Office to operate microblogging services in Beijing.
These websites are obligated to ensure the authenticity of their users' identities, and protect the privacy of microbloggers, the document said.
Existing microblogging service providers have been asked to complete their current users' data registration within three months, it said.
The law will have a big national impact because "Beijing is a major city for the development of microblogging services," said Tong Liqiang, executive deputy director with the BIIO.
Tong said that nearly 600 million microblogging IDs are registered with Beijing's seven microblogging service providers, including popular Sina Weibo and Sohu, which have 280 million and 120 million microblog users, respectively.
Tong said microblogging services have facilitated business, social exchanges, education and daily communication.
"In the meantime, the spread of rumors and fake information as well as Internet fraud on the microblog platform have harmed the interests of the public," Tong said, adding that the new regulations are based on broad surveys and opinions.
The new rules have caught the attention of many microbloggers at Sina Weibo, China's largest microblogging site. Some said the move would be effective in curbing online rumors and fraud, while others were worried that it would stop people from voicing their complaints or grievances.
The new rules are gaining support from microblog service providers.
"We support the regulations," said Peng Shaobin, general manager of Sina's microblog service department.
Peng said his company has been trying hard to stop the spread of false information on microblogs.
Government agencies published new rules yesterday requiring users of the country's Twitter-like microblogging services to provide their true identities when registering for microblog accounts.
According to the rules on Beijing's microblog management, which took immediate effect, web users need to give their real names to website administrators before being allowed to put up microblog posts.
Bloggers, however, are free to choose their screen names, said a spokesman with the Beijing Internet Information Office (BIIO), the city's web content management authority.
"The new rules are aimed at protecting web users' interests and improving credibility on the web," he said.
The official said the move will help microblogging service providers enhance trustworthiness, establish name brands and improve the quality of their services.
The rules were issued jointly by the city's public security bureau, communication administration and Internet information office and the Beijing government's press office.
According to the new rules, web users need to register using authentic identities when applying for microblog IDs, which will enable them to write, publish and share postings.Web users do not have to apply for an ID to browse posts, the document said.
The new rules ban individuals and organizations from posting and duplicating illegal content, including information that leaks state secrets, damages national security and interests, and instigates ethnic resentment, discrimination or illegal rallies that disrupt social order.
Meanwhile, the rules require websites to get approval from the Internet Information Office to operate microblogging services in Beijing.
These websites are obligated to ensure the authenticity of their users' identities, and protect the privacy of microbloggers, the document said.
Existing microblogging service providers have been asked to complete their current users' data registration within three months, it said.
The law will have a big national impact because "Beijing is a major city for the development of microblogging services," said Tong Liqiang, executive deputy director with the BIIO.
Tong said that nearly 600 million microblogging IDs are registered with Beijing's seven microblogging service providers, including popular Sina Weibo and Sohu, which have 280 million and 120 million microblog users, respectively.
Tong said microblogging services have facilitated business, social exchanges, education and daily communication.
"In the meantime, the spread of rumors and fake information as well as Internet fraud on the microblog platform have harmed the interests of the public," Tong said, adding that the new regulations are based on broad surveys and opinions.
The new rules have caught the attention of many microbloggers at Sina Weibo, China's largest microblogging site. Some said the move would be effective in curbing online rumors and fraud, while others were worried that it would stop people from voicing their complaints or grievances.
The new rules are gaining support from microblog service providers.
"We support the regulations," said Peng Shaobin, general manager of Sina's microblog service department.
Peng said his company has been trying hard to stop the spread of false information on microblogs.
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