New Cards Week 8

China toughens its restrictions on use of the internet

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2012/12/29/world/asia/china-toughens-restrictions-on-internet-use.xml

 

By KEITH BRADSHER

Published: December 29, 2012

29 December 2012

New rules from the Chinese government mean internet users must now provide real names to service providers. Internet companies will also have more responsibility for deleting forbidden postings and reporting them to the authorities. Whilst bloggers can still use pseudonyms, they must provide their real names first. This is in a country where internet users can be jailed for politically-sensitive comments.

Recently, internet users in China exposed scandals that led to resignations or dismissals of local officials. Furthermore, following international news media reporting the accumulation of wealth by the families of China's leaders, many sites were blocked. The government deny the new rules are to prevent the exposure of corruption. Instead they claim the measures will protect users from misuse of their personal data.

Meanwhile, China continues to block more foreign web sites and VPNs, virtual private networks, which are used to encrypt computer communication used by businesses and individuals in China to prevent government monitoring.

It seems that China is willing to have a freer economy in the future, the new internet restrictions show that free political discussion is still not wanted.