China’s plan to introduce a nationwide digital identification system has sparked controversy and criticism from legal experts and internet users. The proposal, which was recently published by China’s internet regulator and police, aims to allow users to verify their identity online without revealing unnecessary personal details to internet service providers. However, many have raised concerns about government overreach and the potential impact on privacy and freedom of expression.
Some legal experts, such as Lao Dongyan, a law professor at Tsinghua University, have suggested that the real intention behind the digital ID system is to increase control over individual expressions online. This sentiment was echoed by lawyer Du Zhaoyong, who warned of the „destructive“ effect the system could have on the free flow of information. With China already closely monitoring and censoring speech online, the introduction of a centralized digital ID system could give authorities even greater access to people’s online activities.
Jeremy Daum, a senior fellow at the Yale Law School Paul Tsai China Center, noted that Chinese people may be particularly wary of such a system following the use of health codes during the pandemic. These health codes were used to track and control citizens‘ movements in order to contain the virus, raising concerns about government surveillance and control. However, Daum emphasized that the proposed digital ID system appears to be focused on privacy rather than content, offering a new level of privacy in interactions with corporations while still allowing government access to information.
The proposal by the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Ministry of Public Security seeks to create a unified system for identity verification that would limit internet companies‘ ability to collect data. Users would be able to voluntarily request a unique ID and digital certificate to confirm their identity, with internet platforms prohibited from requesting additional personal information once a user is authenticated. This move comes as Beijing has criticized internet platform companies for collecting excessive data, naming 105 apps for violations in 2021.
According to the South China Morning Post, more than 50 popular apps, including those operated by Tencent, Alibaba, and ByteDance, have tested the proposed authentication system. The draft rules are currently open to public feedback until August 25, allowing stakeholders and the public to weigh in on the potential implications of the digital ID system. As China continues to navigate the balance between privacy, security, and freedom of expression online, the introduction of a nationwide digital identification system raises important questions about government surveillance and control in the digital age.