by Playfuls Staff |
30th November 2006
The Internet Society of China is weighing possible regulations that would require bloggers and online comment posters to [more] provide their real names.
The regulations would require users to provide their real name and identification card number to Web site operators when opening a blog or registering to post on a bulletin board, but users would still be allowed to post under pseudonyms, Xinhua, China's official government-run news agency, reports.
"China is studying and trying out a limited real name online system so as to balance the protection of personal privacy and public and national interests," said Hu Qiheng, a board director of the Internet society.
Hu said the real identities of the posters would remain confidential so long as they do "nothing illegal or harmful to the public." However, if any laws are broken, the true identities of the posters would be revealed and given to authorities, he said.
"A balance point should be reached between personal privacy and public and national interests," Hu said.
© 2006 UPI
