CHINA’S lawmakers have given the green light to rules requiring Internet users to register their real names with service providers.

The rules also specify punishments for websites or service providers that leak or sell personal information.

The rules, adopted Friday at the closing session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in Beijing, are meant to “ensure Internet information security, safeguard the lawful rights and interests of citizens, legal entities or other organizations and safeguard national security and social public interests.”

The identity management policy bans organizations and individuals from obtaining personal information via illegal means, as well as prohibiting them from selling or illegally providing the information to others. Violations can lead to confiscation of illegal gains, the loss of licenses and website closures, as well as a ban on any future Internet-related business.

“Network service providers will ask users to provide genuine identification information when signing agreements to grant them access to the Internet, fixed-line telephone or mobile devices or to allow users to post information publicly,” the decision states.

A senior member of the legislature allayed public concern that the rules could hamper the exposure of corruption cases online, stifle public criticism and negate the Internet’s supervisory role.

Such worries are “unnecessary,” said Li Fei, deputy director of the Commission for Legislative Affairs of the NPC Standing Committee.

“Identity management work can be conducted backstage, allowing users to use different names when posting material publicly,” Li said.

Many Internet and telecommunications operators have already put identity management into practice in China. The new decision aims to improve the policy through legislation, according to Li.

As of November, almost all fixed-line phone users and 70 percent of mobile phone users had registered with their real names.

Unregistered users were mainly owners of prepaid mobile phone cards, figures from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology show.

The new rules will empower supervisory departments to take technical and other necessary measures to prevent, stop or punish those who infringe on online privacy.

(Xinhua)