If you reside in China, your Internet life within the borders will soon be even more challenging.
Last Friday, China's top Internet regulator announced
a new set of rules that would force citizens to post comments using
their real-world identities on Internet forums and other web platforms.
Yes, you heard that right. Anonymity is about to die in the country.
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) will start officially
enforcing the new rules starting from October 1, 2017, requiring
websites operators and service providers of online forums to request and
verify real names and other personal information from users when they
register and must immediately report illegal content to the authorities.
According to the CAC, the following content would be considered unlawful and forbidden from being published online:
Opposing the basic principles as defined in the Constitution
Endangering national security
Damaging nation's honor and interests
Inciting national hatred, ethnic discrimination and undermining national unity
Undermining nation's religious policies and promoting cults
Spreading rumours, disrupting social order and destroying social stability
Spreading pornography, gambling, violence, murder, terror or abetting a crime
Insulting or slandering others and infringing upon others
Any other content that is prohibited by laws and administrative regulations
Well, the list covers almost everything.
