China Adopts Controversial Cybersecurity Law Restricting Anonymity Online

The Chinese government has recently passed a cybersecurity law that bans anonymity among many other online etiquette-based regulations. 

The bill not only tightens restrictions on online freedom of speech but also raises more concerns that it could effectively lead to a country-wide internet censorship.

It could be remembered that the ruling Communist Party is already overseeing what is called the Great Firewall, which aggressively blocks websites and removes sensitive internet content. This includes Beijing's human rights record and criticisms against the government.

According to Phys.org, the new law bans users from publishing information that "damages national honor," "disturbs economic or social order," or is aimed at "overthrowing the socialist system."

The new law also requires companies to verify the identities of users that are using the Internet. This effectively makes it illegal to go online anonymously. The law also includes provisions to protect the country's networks and private user information.

Earlier drafts of the regulation already drew flak from rights groups and businesses, which objected to its "vague language."

Companies, in particular, expressed concern about language that would require them to cooperate with China to "protect national security." This appears to be too broad a phrase to be included in the final version of the law.

Patrick Poon, China researcher at overseas-based rights group Amnesty International, said this effectively forces Internet companies to be "agents of the state."

The government has long reserved the right to control and censor online content, but it was increased in 2013. Internet activists and internet "rumors" were tracked and "resolved." A lot of bloggers and journalists have even been detained, along with a larger campaign to control social media.

Under the new law, Chinese internet users can face three years in prison if they write defamatory messages that are reposted 500 times or more. Web users can even be jailed if their offensive posts are viewed more than 5,000 times.