China's new Internet ID policy triggers online discussion

 BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A policy that requires users to use their real names when registering for Internet access has triggered heated discussion, with some for and some against it.

On Dec. 28, China's top legislature passed rules on protecting online information, with a provision requiring Internet users to use their real names to identify themselves to service providers, including Internet or telecommunications operators.

While some netizens say because of this policy, they will be cautious in airing views, others say such worry is unnecessary.

"Zhang Lifan," a netizens on popular Internet portal Sina.com, wrote that the regulation will affect online communication and reduce netizens' desire to participate in political discussions.

Yin Yungong, director of the Institute of Journalism¹ and Communication at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the policy will help to dispel² malicious³ rumors⁴ at their source.

"The policy will ensure online information spreads in an orderly and safe way," said Yin.

He said that netizens will get used to it gradually.

Actually, many Chinese service providers have already set real-name registration⁵ requirements. China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom, China's three biggest telecom companies, have required individuals and enterprises to provide their real names when subscribing⁶ to data transmission services since September 2010.

Sina Weibo, a popular microblogging site that has been used by netizens to blow the whistle on corrupt⁷ officials, has required users to register with their real names since earlier this year.

Huzhichenfeibeijixing, a Sina Weibo user, said whistleblowers using their real names will give their claims more weight.

While netizens have various opinions on the impact of the policy, they are unanimous in calling for strict protection of online ID information.

"I doubt the government's ability to ensure the security of our information," wrote a Sina Weibo user with the screenname "yingluobiezhi," adding that he fears his personal information could end up being disclosed.

A survey published by the China Center for Information Industry Development in May 2012 showed that more than 60 percent of respondents said they had suffered personal information theft.

Internet users who have accounts on popular commercial or social networking sites are at the greatest risk of having their information stolen, according to Feng Qiang, an employee of a commercial website, adding that netizens' personal information is managed by the websites' operators.

Operators should protect their users' privacy and public security departments should play a supervisory role, Feng said.

A commentary posted on people.com.cn Wednesday said some netizens have misread the intentions of the new rules, which aim to strengthen protection of citizens' online information and contain many provisions in this respect.

It said real-name registration has been the order of the day, as most of China's 513 million netizens have done online shopping. As some netizens fear the so-called compulsory⁸ real-name registration, they are probably unaware⁹ that they have already registered their real identities online.

"Therefore, it's necessary to make rules to protect netizens' online information," said the comment, urging netizens not to misinterpret the intention of the legislators and blindly echo ungrounded criticisms of the rules.

1 journalism   

n.新闻工作，报业

参考例句：

• He's a teacher but he does some journalism on the side.他是教师，可还兼职做一些新闻工作。
• He had an aptitude for journalism.他有从事新闻工作的才能。

2 dispel   

vt.驱走，驱散，消除

参考例句：

• I tried in vain to dispel her misgivings.我试图消除她的疑虑，但没有成功。
• We hope the programme will dispel certain misconceptions about the disease.我们希望这个节目能消除对这种疾病的一些误解。

3 malicious   

adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的

参考例句：

• You ought to kick back at such malicious slander. 你应当反击这种恶毒的污蔑。
• Their talk was slightly malicious.他们的谈话有点儿心怀不轨。

4 rumors   

n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷

参考例句：

• Rumors have it that the school was burned down. 有谣言说学校给烧掉了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Rumors of a revolt were afloat. 叛变的谣言四起。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 registration   

n.登记，注册，挂号

参考例句：

• Marriage without registration is not recognized by law.法律不承认未登记的婚姻。
• What's your registration number?你挂的是几号？

6 subscribing   

v.捐助( subscribe的现在分词 )；签署，题词；订阅；同意

参考例句：

• I am subscribing for some of the books of a book club. 我预订了几本这家书刊俱乐部出版的书。 来自辞典例句
• I am glad to have such a pleasant opportunity of subscribing myself. 今后益望努力前途，为国效力。 来自互联网

7 corrupt   

v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的

参考例句：

• The newspaper alleged the mayor's corrupt practices.那家报纸断言市长有舞弊行为。
• This judge is corrupt.这个法官贪污。

8 compulsory   

n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的

参考例句：

• Is English a compulsory subject?英语是必修课吗？
• Compulsory schooling ends at sixteen.义务教育至16岁为止。

9 unaware   

a.不知道的，未意识到的

参考例句：

• They were unaware that war was near. 他们不知道战争即将爆发。
• I was unaware of the man's presence. 我没有察觉到那人在场。