Lao Dongyan | “Network ID and Network Certificate” is a surveillance device installed for every netizen

The “Administrative Measures for Public Services of National Cyber Identity Authentication (Draft for Comments)” (hereinafter referred to as the “Measures”), jointly drafted by the Ministry of Public Security and the Cyberspace Administration of China, was officially announced on July 26th and is currently in the stage of soliciting public comments. Since it is soliciting public comments, I would also like to publicly express my opinion.

The “Measures” propose to implement a unified network number and network certificate system. In my opinion, such a move will bring great social risks, and as a departmental regulation, it clearly lacks the basis of a higher-level law. Compared with the “Administrative Penalties for Public Security (Revised Draft)” issued in September 2023, the social risks brought about are no less.

First of all, is the real intention of the “Measures” to protect personal information as the drafters say, or to strengthen the control of individuals’ words and deeds on the Internet?

After 12 years of implementing real-name registration on the Internet, more than one billion netizens have left their personal information required for authentication with various network information service providers. In this case, how much practical significance does it have to implement the network number and network certificate system? The initial implementation of real-name registration on the Internet was launched in the name of protecting the general public, and the effect of protection is obvious to all. This means that the implementation of the “Measures”, like real-name registration on the Internet, the real purpose is to control people’s behavior on the Internet, and the so-called protection of personal information is just a smokescreen, or at least not the main purpose.

Secondly, what is the essence of the network number and network certificate system?

Figuratively speaking, the network number and network certificate system is similar to the health code during the epidemic, and the governance thinking is exactly the same, but it is to normalize and regularize the social control through the health code. The network number system is equivalent to installing a monitor for everyone’s online behavior, and all traces on the Internet (including browsing traces) can be easily collected. The network certificate system means that accessing the Internet or using the services provided by network service providers will essentially become a privilege that needs to be approved. If the relevant departments do not provide authentication services, individuals will find it difficult to enjoy the corresponding Internet services, including but not limited to speech, comments, and other services.