Information Society Watch

October 24, 2006, Venkatesan Vembu, DNA World

A new move which requires all Chinese bloggers to compulsorily register their real identity details with authorities is facing severe resistance from bloggers. Bloggers and service providers warn that this violation of freedom of speech and privacy will severely hamper the growth of the blogging industry. Mainstream media has also expressed criticism of this move and pointed out the social costs inherent in such infringements of individual rights. The government proposal and the aggressive reaction are indicative of the emerging China in which officials are trying to continue traditional policing efforts in a dramatically changing society.

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