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In the past two weeks, the Cyberspace Administration of China released four overlapping regulations that apply to all online interactions. They cover all internet forums, message boards, group chats, and news comment threats. They are summarized in the chart below:
| Release date | Regulation | Rule |
| Aug. 25, 2017 |
Internet Forum Service Management Regulation (互联网论坛社区服务管理规定) |
Article 8 states that users should be denied service if they do not register under their real identities for online forums and message boards. |
| Aug. 25, 2017 |
Internet Thread Comments Service Management Regulation (互联网跟帖评论服务管理规定) |
Article 9 requires real name registration to post comments, reply, and other interaction online for news and social media. It also calls for companies to create a credit system where users will receive ratings that determine their scope of service. The central government will also keep a credit file on users. |
| Sept. 7, 2017 |
Internet User Public Account Information Services Management Regulation (互联网用户公众账号信息服务管理规定) |
Article 6 requires that internet users provide their organization, national identity documents and mobile phone numbers or be denied service. Companies must also set up credit rating systems tied to user accounts. |
| Sept. 7, 2017 |
Management Rules of Internet Group Information Services (互联网群组信息服务管理规定) |
Articles 6 and 7 require real identity registration for users and the establishment of credit ratings for internet chat groups, and they make internet group owners liable for violations. |
In each provision, the regulations call for “foreground voluntary name, background real name”. This means that users can still choose a screen name for display on the internet, or even appear anonymous, but their identity information will be stored with the Ministry of Public Security. Advocates of the system argue that the data is more secure with the government ministry than within company storage platforms.
(Comment: Xi Jinping's speech on July 26 (known as the “726” speech) stressed that the internet is a “double-edge sword” that can allow “hidden negative energy” to become the “biggest variable” impacting governance and social stability. He said this must be minimized. Xi Jinping has described the internet as the main battlefield in the domain of ideological struggles. The need to ensure the “orderly” development of major platforms such as WeChat flow from that.).
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