Regulator bans ‘malicious’ Internet avatars
Print Edition
The Cyberspace Administration of China yesterday banned Internet avatars and account handles that feature malicious content or masquerade as famous institutions or celebrities.
A 10-clause regulation published by the agency states that avatars and account handles must not contain information that violates the Constitution or law, subvert state power, undermine national security or promote rumors.
Malicious content includes the promotion of cults, the dissemination of pornography or extremism, and items that insult or defame other people.
The new rule, which will take effect on March 1, applies to all avatars and account handles for blogs, microblogs, instant messaging services, online forums, comment sections and other online services.
Internet service providers (ISPs) will be liable for any illegal content, the agency said.
It said the regulation upholds people’s rights to choose a personalized account name, but that it must be registered in the owner’s real name.
Misleading account names that masquerade as institutions or celebrities will be ordered to close, while illegal content should be removed in a timely manner.
Service providers that fail to act promptly could have their business suspended, the agency said.
The regulation comes after a series of Internet cases that the government claimed infringed on people’s interests.
Xu Feng, head of the mobile Internet bureau of the cyberspace administration, told a news briefing yesterday that some people adopt user names that are similar to those of government departments and official media in order to spread rumors.
Other people masquerade as foreign leaders, including Barack Obama and Vladmir Putin, he said.
The agency said in January that it had closed 17 accounts on instant messaging platform WeChat over the past two months.
These included some that masqueraded as public organs and media companies, including the People’s Daily and groups linked to the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
The new regulation will strengthen regulation of the Internet, and ISPs are its main target, Xu said.
It “does not restrict Internet users,” but “protects their legitimate rights,” he claimed.
ISPs have already been asked to improve their services and supervision mechanisms, the official said.
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