China To Roll Out National Internet ID, Raising Fresh Concerns Over Digital Surveillance
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A media report said that according to the rules published in late May, the system is voluntary for now but will begin implementation in mid-July.
China, long known for operating one of the world's most sophisticated internet censorship and surveillance regimes, is preparing to tighten its grip further with the rollout of a centralized national internet ID, reported CNN.
Currently, Chinese internet users must undergo identity verification separately on every online platform. But under the new system, individuals will be issued a state-backed virtual ID that allows them to log into various social media apps and websites using a single sign-on. This move will make it even harder for users to remain anonymous online, where real-name registration is already mandatory.
The news website reported that according to the rules published in late May, the system is voluntary for now but will begin implementation in mid-July. The government says the initiative is intended to 'protect citizens' identity information, and support the healthy and orderly development of the digital economy."
However, experts warned that the new centralized ID system could further erode what little freedom of expression remains in China's tightly controlled digital space.
'This is a state-led, unified identity system capable of real-time monitoring and blocking of users," said Xiao Qiang, a research scientist focused on internet freedom at the University of California, Berkeley told CNN. He added: 'It can directly erase voices it doesn't like from the internet, so it's more than just a surveillance tool – it is an infrastructure of digital totalitarianism."
Since Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, China has intensified online controls through a 24/7 army of censors who delete posts, suspend accounts, and identify dissenters before criticism can gain momentum. Control over China's vast digital domain has largely been dispersed among various groups, with social media platforms assisting authorities in content moderation.
But a unified system could allow Beijing to eliminate a user's presence across multiple platforms instantly. 'A centralized system using the internet ID," Xiao warned, 'could make it much easier for the government to wipe out a user's presence across multiple platforms at once."
The finalized rules came after a year-long public consultation process launched last summer, which saw objections from legal scholars, human rights advocates, and online users. Despite the backlash, the final version of the regulations remains largely unchanged.
First Published:
June 21, 2025, 22:36 IST
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