China May Require Web Users to Register Real Names, Xinhua Says
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China, the world’s largest Internet market by users, may require by law that Web users provide their real identities when signing contracts with Internet service providers, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, which has the power to enact law, will this week decide on proposed legislation that would require Web users to register their real names to gain fixed-line and mobile Internet access, the news agency reported yesterday. The proposed legislation, once approved, would be the second China has passed on Internet management since 2000, when it passed a law on Web security maintenance, Xinhua said.