Freedom of speech and online privacy may soon be forgotten in China, as the government seeks methods to tighten control over content Chinese users share over the internet. The Cyberspace Administration of China announced new regulations for online comments, effective October 1, writes the South China Morning Post.
On grounds that Chinese online space has been allegedly flooded with fake news, rumors, illegal information and offensive language, users from now on must register with their real names, and internet service providers will have to check identities for accuracy.
“For users who have not given identifying information, platforms for and providers of online communities may not allow posting of any kind,” reads the announcement (approximate translation from Chinese). “No content may appear that is prohibited by national regulations.”
The measure applies to all types of content and communication enablers, including news and online comments, and smartphone apps and “any other communication platform that features news or with the function to mobilize society.”
Besides verifying identity, internet providers will have to regularly curate content prior publication and real-time posts on videos, and report any forbidden topics to supervisors.
Forbidden topics, as translated by The Diplomat:
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After having addressed topics such as NFC, startups, and tech innovation, she has now shifted focus to internet security, with a keen interest in smart homes and IoT threats.
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