China’s Cyberspace ID: Big Brother’s New Best Friend?

Hot Take:

So, Beijing wants to be your Big Brother and your bouncer all at once? Talk about a multitasking overachiever. In this episode of “How to Control Your Citizens,” China introduces a national cyberspace ID system using facial recognition. What could possibly go wrong?

Key Points:

• China is testing a national cyberspace ID system using facial recognition and real names.
• Major apps like WeChat, Taobao, and QQ are part of the pilot program.
• The ID aims to eliminate the need for ISPs to collect personal data.
• The program is still in the comment phase until August 25.
• Concerns about privacy and surveillance are already surfacing.

Big Brother 2.0

In an impressive plot twist straight out of a dystopian novel, Chinese app developers are signing up for a beta test of Beijing’s new national cyberspace ID system. This system, powered by facial recognition technology and real-name verification, aims to centralize and streamline user identification. Major players like WeChat, Taobao, and QQ are already on board, ready to turn your face into your new online passport.

Say Cheese, Forever

The national cyberspace ID is designed to work as both a physical and online credential, neatly tying your real-life identity to your digital presence. The idea is that this will save you the hassle of inputting your personal info everywhere, and instead, you’ll just be offering it up to the government on a silver platter. The data will be managed by a national service platform, taking the burden off ISPs and putting it squarely on Beijing’s shoulders. Talk about convenience, right?

Fast Track to the Future

This “voluntary” national ID scheme was proposed by Beijing on July 26 and is currently open for public comment until August 25. The fact that a pilot program is already in the works might make you wonder if the ink was even dry on the proposal before they hit the ground running. While the system is being tested, users will log in with a virtual number after verifying their ID, linking their phones, and setting an eight-digit password. Sounds simple enough, unless you’re one of those people who prefer not to have your face scanned every time you want to send a meme.

Privacy? What Privacy?

Not everyone is thrilled about this new development. Tsinghua University law professor Lao Dongyan took to Weibo to warn that the cyber ID system could be akin to “installing monitors to watch everyone’s online behavior.” His post mysteriously disappeared, because apparently, the first rule of criticizing the national cyberspace ID system is you do not talk about the national cyberspace ID system. One brave soul has even gone as far as filing a lawsuit in Beijing’s Dongcheng District Court, arguing that the pilot program shouldn’t be running while the scheme is still in the comment phase.