Hey there! Have you ever worried about sharing your personal information online? Millions of people in China have a new way to keep their info safe: they’re using cyberspace IDs!
What Are Cyberspace IDs? 🤔
Cyberspace IDs are like secret codes that help people prove who they are online without giving away their personal details. Instead of sharing their real names or ID numbers, they can use a special digital identity made up of letters and numbers.
There are two types of cyberspace IDs:
- A series of letters and numbers (like a username)
- An online credential (kind of like a digital badge)
Both types are linked to a person’s real identity but don’t show any plain text information. This means their personal details stay private!
How Does It Work? 🖥️
The Chinese government set up a national service platform in June 2023. This platform checks people’s real identity documents, like their resident ID cards, and gives them a cyberspace ID.
When people want to sign up for a new app or website, they can use their cyberspace ID instead of giving out their real name or ID number. Cool, right?
Why Is This Important? 🛡️
Using cyberspace IDs helps protect people’s personal information from being shared or stolen online. It makes the internet a safer place!
By October 2023, over 6 million Chinese citizens have applied for and activated their cyberspace IDs. The official app for these IDs has been downloaded more than 16 million times!
New Rules to Keep Users Safe 📜
Six government departments, including the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and the Cyberspace Administration of China, have published new regulations about cyberspace IDs. These rules will start on July 15.
Here are some key points:
- Using a cyberspace ID is voluntary. People can choose whether they want to use it.
- Internet service providers can’t ask for more personal information if someone uses a cyberspace ID, unless it’s required by law or the user agrees.
- The platform keeps only the necessary information to verify identities and doesn’t share it without permission.
Supporting the Digital Economy 💻💡
An official from the MPS said that cyberspace IDs not only make identity checks secure and easy for citizens but also help China’s digital economy grow.
What Does This Mean for You? 🌟
Even if you’re not in China, it’s exciting to see new ways people are protecting their privacy online. Maybe one day, similar systems will be used around the world to make the internet a safer place for everyone!
What do you think about cyberspace IDs? How do you keep your personal information safe online? Let us know in the comments! 💬
Reference(s):
Millions of Chinese use cyberspace IDs to protect online privacy
cgtn.com
