Tighter Web access mulled

China's top legislature is deliberating a draft decision to strengthen Internet information protection, proposing the adoption of a real-name registration system in getting access to the Internet.

Under the system, Web users will be required to identify themselves to network service providers, including Internet or telecommunications operators. Such identity management could be conducted "behind the scenes," allowing users to adopt different names when publicizing information.

With criminal cases related to information theft, online fraud and rumor-mongering on the increase, the move is aimed at regulating cyberspace order and promoting the safe flow of personal information and protecting users' privacy, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Tong Liqiang, director of the Beijing Internet Information Office, told the Global Times Monday that adopting the real-name system would be very effective in establishing a clean and orderly online environment, as has been proved by microblog services, which started real-name registration last December.

Tong said that the measure lets more people know that cyberspace is a real world where they can be held responsible for what they say. "Since the adoption of the system, less people were found spreading rumors and exaggerating facts," said Tong.

Although the draft has its supporters, some experts and Web users expressed concerns.

Shi Anbin, a professor of communications at Tsinghua University, said that self-censorship would dampen people's will to communicate and result in a less active cyber environment.

"People can expose corruption and unfairness because of the rapid transmission online, and the authorities will be pressured to act," Shi told the Global Times, adding that without anonymity as a protective umbrella, some people would not dare talk, even with evidence.

Zhang Shiye, a Web user, said he received threatening messages after he used his real name to expose the corruption of an official from Shandong Province.

"I learned the risk of reporting corruption with my real name. Under such a system, it will be hard for websites like Weibo to be a platform for supervising the government," Zhang told the Global Times Monday.

But Tong argued that people should be encouraged to supervise the government with sufficient evidence and in a responsible manner. "People who attack others or hurt others' reputations will only shoulder the legal responsibility under a real-name system."

In addition, experts also expressed doubts over the effectiveness of the system in protecting personal information and privacy.

Lü Benfu, an expert on Internet security at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told the Global Times that people's privacy could be more vulnerable to illegal acts if their personal information is put online.

Lü took South Korea as an example. The country adopted the real-name system in 2008, but only succeeded in giving more opportunities for information thieves.

Over the last four years, the number of participants in online discussions decreased, while the number of hackers stealing personal information from service providers and cases of people's ID numbers being sold increased. The government was forced to abandon the system at the end of 2011.

Fang Binxing, a professor at the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, told the Global Times that providing personal information to websites such as Sina was risky in terms of information security.

Fang suggested the adoption of electronic identification cards (EID), through which only the Ministry of Public Security and individuals have access to private information. "China is working on this EID and will not repeat the mistake of South Korea."