Beijing could issue "cyberspace IDs" to its citizens to help protect their person information as part of an online identity strategy, according to an official Chinese government channel.
The plan which is yet to be adopted is meant to "protect citizens' personal information regulate the public service for authentication of cyberspace IDs, and accelerate the implementation of the trusted online identity strategy," according to Chinese Sate Council Information Office.
The ID will be in two forms, one as a series of letters and numbers, and the other as an online credential, and both will be citizens' real-life identities, it said.
A government national service platform will be responsible for authenticating and issuing these cyberspace IDs.
The draft proposal that comes from the Ministry of Public Security and the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) clarified that IDs will be voluntary for now, and eliminate the need for citizens to provide their real-life personal information to internet service providers (ISPs).
Parental consent will be needed for those under the age of fourteen, it said.
China is one of the few countries that demands citizens to use their real names on the internet. ISPs are required to gather the real names and ID numbers when customers sign up for services.
Relying instead on a national ID means "the excessive collection and retention of citizens' personal information by internet service providers will be prevented and minimized," said Beijing.
The draft read that "without the separate consent of a natural person, an internet platform may not process or provide relevant data and information to the outside without authorization, except as otherwise provided by laws and administrative regulations."
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