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Rules are tightened on instant messaging

Cao Yin
Updated: Aug 8,2014 11:40 AM     China Daily

China’s Internet watchdog targeted instant messaging tools on Thursday, ruling that users must register with their real identities, and tightening access to public accounts.

The move follows the increasing popularity of the tools that has led to problems including the spreading of rumors and information relating to terrorism, pornography and violence.

Under the State Internet Information Office ruling, for example, people must provide their real names and their mobile phone numbers if they apply for an account on WeChat, China’s most popular instant messaging tool, designed by Internet giant Tencent.

By July, there were nearly 460 million users of instant messaging tools in China, an increase of 28.42 million since last year, according to the China Internet Network Information Center.

A Tencent report in May said that about 400 million are WeChat users. It also said that the number of WeChat foreign users had reached 70 million last year.

Tencent will tell applicants their registrations will only be effective under a contract using the real-name system. Under the new rule, they can open accounts only after the identities they provide are verified.

But people whose registrations are approved can still use nicknames in messaging and posting.

Guo Kaitian, vice-president of Tencent, said most WeChat users already registered accounts via mobile phone numbers and would not be affected in using the application.

Foreigners can also download overseas versions of WeChat on app stores in their own countries, the company said, adding that they should also register mobile phone numbers during registration.

Longtime users who registered using QQ numbers will be encouraged to use the realname system gradually, Guo said, but did not give specific measures. QQ, another popular Tencent messaging tool, is used widely on personal computers.

Shi Shusi, a popular microblogger and WeChat user, hailed the new rule on real-name registrations, saying it is necessary to provide a genuine identity when opening a bank account, or when shopping online.

But WeChat’s Friend Circle, a function that allows users to share their information, pictures and videos, has sometimes triggered rumors.

After Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished on March 8 on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, several rumors appeared on WeChat, while some individual and public accounts also posted false information that resulted in panic.

Authorities also found and cleaned up part of a message saying that the Ebola virus had appeared in Shanghai in recent weeks.

Li Yuxiao, director of the Institute of Internet Governance and Law under Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, said, “Such rumors must be eliminated and they will be reduced under the realname system.

“Every operator should shoulder the responsibility of protecting users’ information, as this will also enable them to build their reputation and image,” Li said.

He said that in countries such as Japan and South Korea, people and government departments are asked to provide real identities when registering an instant messaging tool, adding that those who breach this rule and related ones will be punished.

Under a judicial interpretation issued by China’s top court last year, people registering micro-blogging accounts must provide real identities, while those spreading rumors and false information that is forwarded more than 500 times are liable for criminal punishment.

street talk

LIANG SUYAO, 30, teacher in San Jose, California I used a QQ account to register for WeChat about two years ago, which didn’t require any personal information. It may not affect me if it requires a true identity if we can still use it in the United States. WeChat is a helpful instant media platform for me to connect with my family and friends in China.

STEVEN WONG, 29, Chinese-American, software engineer in Mountain View, California

I don’t mind the true identity registration, like registering a phone number. Actually, I use my real information to register on Facebook and LinkedIn. I guess it will be better for administration.

REGULATIONS

To clean up the online environment and rein in rumormongers, the State Internet Information Office, China’s cyberspace watchdog, issued a rule targeting instant messaging tools.

The rule contains 10 articles, major provisions of which include:

・Instant messaging tool applicants must provide their real identities when they register accounts, and online service providers are required to protect the information.

・People or departments that want to open public accounts on instant messaging platforms must be registered with the country’s Internet management and supervision authorities.

・Media and their websites are allowed to open public accounts to publish and forward political news, while some non-journalism institutes with online news and information service licenses can also do that.

・Unlicensed public accounts are banned from publishing or forwarding political news.

・Governmental departments, enterprises and institutions are encouraged to open public accounts, and to provide related services to the public.

・For those breaching the rules, instant messaging providers and operators should give a warning, restrict related posts or, in serious cases, close accounts. Alleged illegal information can be stored while being reported to the government.