Open Internet Red Alert: China Proposes Requiring Real Name Identification for Internet Users

In China, lawmakers are discussing a plan to broaden the real name identification policy for its 538 million internet users by requiring them to sign up for network providers with real names, which became a standard procedure for new users registering on Sina Corp's microblogging platform Weibo earlier this year. According to the state news media's report, the government believes that such a system will prevent malicious exchanges and anonymous accusations on the web, while some critics worry that the move could be a major step backward for open democracy and eradication of corruption in the country.