Suspected PayPal Hackers Seek Deal To Stay Out Of Prison
Scripps Employees Called 'Hackers' For Exposing Massive Security Flaw
China May Require Real Names When Chatting Online
The Chinese government has never really cozied up to the concept of individual liberty -- especially not on the Internet. A newly disclosed report, however, suggests that the People's Republic may be considering an even more draconian approach to policing its online populace.Back in April, the director of China's State Council Information Office, Wang Chen, gave a speech in which he implored lawmakers to pass legislation that would mandate all Chinese citizens to use their real names when chatting online or using their mobile phones. As the AP reports, Chinese officials quickly (and ironically) removed Chen's transcript from the legislative website, most likely due to worries that news of the so-called 'real name system' might incite populist backlash. A New York-based organization known as the Human Rights Group in China, however, got its hands on the transcript and went public with it -- although that still doesn't mean that any Chinese users will ever hear of it.
The transcript, published in the organization's journal, 'China Rights Forum,' quotes Chen as saying, "We will make the Internet real name system a reality as soon as possible, implement a nationwide cell phone real name system, and gradually apply the real name registration system to online interactive processes." If implemented, the real name system would require all users to use their real names in forums or chatrooms, and would mandate all moderators to delete any comment posted under an alias.
Online forums have always served as an oasis for China's Web community, where users could talk relatively freely under the cloak of an online pseudonym. In reality, the government could probably use IP addresses to track down any rabble-rousing user. But the veil of anonymity, thin as it may be, must have provided at least some psychological comfort to Chinese users who dared to speak their minds. If this new measure ever sees the light of day, though, even that small, artificial comfort could evaporate. [From: AP, via: Geekosystem]
New Trayvon Martin Evidence Features Incriminating Photos, Texts From Teen
The List #0147: Escape a Car Underwater
Jodi Arias Jury DEADLOCKED
Visit the Maldive Islands Before It's Too Late
H&M's Plus-Size Model Jennie Runk Says She Chose To Gain Weight
Killed Soldier In London Attack Identified
Okla. Sheriff's Deputy Finds Dog Guarding Body Buried Under Destroyed Home
Reptiles Make Home in UK Man's Cable Box
What It's Like To Talk To A 2-Year-Old
Springtime Budget-Busters -- Savings Experiment
Is This Woman Too Pretty To Work?
Surgeons Remove Giant Hairball From Tiger
Editorial: Engadget on the Xbox One
Parents Face Tough Choice When Tornadoes Bear Down
Helen Flanagan Launches PETA Campaign As Only She Knows How
The Story Behind Hairspray
Brave Woman Stood Down Armed London Attackers
'DWTS' Shakeup Ahead?
LOOK: Photoshop Mistake Is Seriously Cringeworthy
Teenager's 'Awww'-Inspiring Drawing Wins Big At Google
PHOTO: Dog Guards Dead Victim's Body After Oklahoma Tornado Disaster
Pope Francis Says All Who Do Good Are Redeemed - Atheists Included
REVEALED: Disturbing Trend In Human Intelligence
WATCH: Heckler Hijacks Obama Speech On Drones, Gitmo
Wolf Blitzer's Embarrassing Moment With Tornado Survivor
Man Reportedly Beheaded In Brutal Assault In London Neighborhood
Help For Heroes Killing
NY Times Eviscerates Obama White House
10 Children Confirmed Among The Dead After Oklahoma Tornado
Has Katie Holmes Moved On?
The World's Most Powerful Women
WATCH: The World's First Digital Photo
Comments
2
Subscribe to commentsclipsiniteJul 13th 2010 3:01PM
China, when will you learn? The more you limit information and the internet, the more you lose. Information is what fuels the modern economy, not cheap labor. Cheap labor can easily be replaced. Information and knowledge can't. Hello Africa! Don't be surprised if your next iPod says, "Designed in California, Made in Kenya."
RobJul 15th 2010 6:17AM
Written by a journalist who doesn't understand the hardships of running a 1.5 billion population country.