12 September, 2017
Online platforms in China that enable users to post comments will be obliged to verify and record the real names of those people under new regulations being introduced in the country.
The Cyberspace Administration of China made the announcement in a statement issued on Friday last week. The new regulations will come into force on 1 October.
The measures are designed to "standardise the community services of the Internet forum, promote the healthy and orderly development of the Internet community, protect the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, legal persons and other organisations, and safeguard the national security and public interests", according to an unofficial translation of the new rules.
The regulations address concerns about "community platform pornography, false advertising, bloody violence , insulting slander, disclosure of personal privacy and other illegal information", the Chinese government said.
Websites, mobile apps and other communication platforms will be among the businesses subject to the new rules, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.
The regulations also require providers of internet forums to implement information security measures as well as improve their complaints systems.
Technology companies operating in China already face changes in cybersecurity and data laws.
For further information, please contact:
Ian Laing, Partner, Pinsent Masons
ian.laing@pinsentmasons.com
