A New Chapter of Digital Control: Analyzing China’s Proposed Internet ID Measure
On February 5, 2025, the Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) and ARTICLE 19 issued a significant analysis regarding China’s proposed Internet ID Measure. Although the measure has not yet been enacted, its implications for online freedom of expression, access to information, and the work of human rights defenders are alarming. If adopted, this initiative threatens to breach international human rights standards and propagate increasingly oppressive internet governance norms globally.
Background: The Origin of the Internet ID Measure
The foundation of the Internet ID Measure stems from a draft provision jointly released by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on July 26, 2024. Titled the Management Measure on National Network Identity Authentication Public Service, this legislation mandates internet users to register through the MPS-developed National Network Identity Authentication Pilot Edition App (commonly referred to as the Internet ID App). The registration process requires users to verify their identity using their national identification card and facial recognition technology.
Following the release of this draft, over 80 apps, including major platforms like WeChat, Xiaohongshu, Taobao, and Zhaopin, began trialing this new authentication system. This rapid uptake indicates a shift toward mandatory identity verification across multiple sectors, escalating concerns about privacy and state surveillance.
Effects on Freedoms and Rights
The proposed Internet ID Measure is viewed as another tightening of the already limited online freedoms within China. It epitomizes a chilling trend where citizens—including human rights defenders—are subjected to increasingly restrictive measures. As described metaphorically as “a frog in slowly heating water,” these changes create a gradual but suffocating environment where dissent is stifled.
Shane Yi of CHRD highlights the ominous ramifications of this measure, describing it as a mechanism for the state to exert greater control over individual identities online. With centralized control, the government can close in on dissenting voices with greater efficiency, which poses serious threats to human rights.
Centralized Control and Enhanced Surveillance
One of the most concerning aspects of the Internet ID Measure is its potential to centralize control over digital identity, impacting more than just domestic internet users. By recording the digital trails of 1.1 billion internet users in China, as well as individuals from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and foreign nationals, the government can significantly enhance its surveillance capabilities.
The requirement for individuals to register through the Internet ID App lays the groundwork for a comprehensive monitoring system. By reducing anonymity and increasing surveillance, the measure raises serious concerns for human rights defenders who face heightened risks of reprisals under such regimes.
International Implications and Repressive Norms
The ramifications of China’s Cybersecurity Law extend beyond its borders, showcasing a worrying trend towards rising digital authoritarianism worldwide. The Internet ID Measure could lead to the emulation of oppressive digital norms in other countries, as nations consider adopting similar restrictive measures for identity verification and cyber governance.
Michael Caster from ARTICLE 19 points out that such centralization of identity verification constitutes an alarming step towards molding international internet governance in a repressive image. If countries worldwide follow suit, the foundational liberties tied to internet use could be at risk globally.
Call for Action
In light of these developments, CHRD and ARTICLE 19 urge the Chinese government to rethink its approach towards internet governance and cybersecurity. There is a pressing need to align national laws with international human rights standards to ensure that digital rights are respected and protected.
Conclusion: A Crossroad for Digital Rights
The proposed Internet ID Measure stands at a critical juncture for internet freedom and human rights within China and beyond. As the digital landscape evolves, so too does the need for a vigorous defense of freedoms and rights online. Stakeholders, including UN bodies and civil society organizations, must advocate against the implementation of measures like the Internet ID, which threaten to reinforce state control and stifle dissent in the digital age. The path ahead is fraught with challenges; however, it is imperative that the global community responds decisively to defend the principles of freedom, privacy, and human rights in an increasingly interconnected world.