BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The cyberspace IDs proposed by Chinese authorities will help ensure convenience and information security for Chinese citizens using the internet, experts told Xinhua.
In late July, China issued a document drafted by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and the Cyberspace Administration of China, encouraging Chinese citizens to obtain cyberspace IDs on a voluntary basis. Public opinion in this regard will be solicited until Aug. 25.
Yu Rui, a researcher with the First Research Institute of the MPS, said the move, which is in accordance with state laws and regulations, can help internet users avoid the existing norm of repeatedly providing explicit personal information to multiple internet service providers.
"This is not an extra requirement for using the internet, but rather a safer and more convenient option in various scenarios requiring user identification," Yu said.
According to the draft document, the government will establish a national service platform for authenticating and granting cyberspace IDs. Individuals will be able to apply for them voluntarily.
Cyberspace IDs will take two forms -- one being a series of letters and numbers, and the other an online credential. Both of them correspond to an individual's real-life identity but exclude any plaintext information, according to the draft.
Li Xinyou, a researcher with the State Information Center, said cyberspace IDs will allow Chinese citizens to prove their identities under different circumstances with just one smart mobile phone. In addition, cyberspace IDs will also allow entry to physical venues that require ID checks.
Experts believe unified authentication will prevent or minimize the excessive collection and retention of citizens' personal information by internet service providers.
The draft also clearly established the principle of "minimum and necessity" for personal information collected by the cyberspace ID public service platform, pledging to guarantee information security with strong technological support.
In addition, Li said a cyberspace ID can become an individual's digital asset and boost China's digital economy.
"The initiative will optimize China's online business environment by raising the level of trust and reducing costs for individual companies," Li said, adding that it is an international norm to develop trustworthy digital ID systems for developing digital economies. ■
