BEIJING - The popular adage, "On the Internet, nobody knows you are a dog" may not always ring true now as authorities in Beijing have ordered real name registrations on microblogging services.

Government agencies in Beijing published new rules on Friday requiring users of the country's Twitter-like microblogging services to provide true identities when registering microblog accounts.

According to the rules on Beijing's microblog management, which went into effect on Friday, web users need to give their real names to website administrators before being allowed to put up microblog posts.

Bloggers, however, are free to choose their screen names, said a spokesman with the Beijing Internet Information Office (BIIO), the city's web content authority. "The new rules are aimed at protecting web users' interests and improving credibility on the web," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official said the move will help microblogging service providers enhance trustworthiness, establish name brands and improve the quality of their services.

The rules were issued jointly by the city's public security bureau, communication administration and Internet information office and the Beijing government's press office.

According to these rules, web users need to register using authentic identities when applying for microblog IDs, which will enable them to write, publish and share postings.

Web users do not have to apply for an ID to browse posts, the document said.

The new rules ban individuals and organizations from posting and duplicating illegal content, including information that leaks state secrets, damages national security and interests, and instigates ethnic resentment, discrimination or illegal rallies that disrupt social order.

Meanwhile, the rules require websites to get approval from the Internet information office to operate microblogging services in Beijing.

These websites are obligated to ensure the authenticity of their users' identities, and protect the privacy of microbloggers, it said.

Existing microblogging service providers have been asked to complete their current users' data registration within three months, it said.

"Beijing, dubbed China's 'Internet capital', is a major city for the development of microblogging services," said Tong Liqiang, executive deputy director with the BIIO.

According to Tong, nearly 600 million microblogging IDs are registered with Beijing's seven microblogging service providers, including popular Sina Weibo and Sohu, which have 280 million and 120 million microblog users, respectively.

Tong said microblogging services have been good for business, social exchanges and education.

"In the meantime, the spread of rumors and fake information as well as Internet fraud on the microblog platform have harmed the interests of the public," Tong said, adding that the new regulations are based on broad surveys and various opinions.

Xinhua

(China Daily 12/18/2011 page2)