Beijing: China is set to implement a centralized and mandatory national internet ID system in July 2025, further intensifying its control over digital activity and significant reshaping how citizens and platforms interact online. The move, first reported by CNN and further confirmed through updates from various global watchdogs, marks a significant expansion of the Chinese Communist Party’s strategy to consolidate control over the country’s vast digital landscape.
The new "Cyber ID" system will link every user's online activity across apps and platforms to a government-issued identity number. This identification will be tied to a person’s national ID card and authenticated through biometric data, including facial recognition, ensuring complete traceability of all online behavior. The initiative builds upon China's existing real-name registration system but centralizes it under a single, state-managed infrastructure.
Authorities claim that the system is necessary to curb online fraud, misinformation, and cybercrime. However, critics argue that the primary goal is to eliminate any remaining online anonymity, further stifling freedom of speech and enabling real-time surveillance of citizens’ digital lives.
The announcement of the internet ID rollout comes alongside proposed amendments to China’s Cybersecurity Law, which significantly raise penalties for non-compliance. Companies found guilty of violating the new regulations, including failure to censor prohibited content or report user activity, could face fines up to RMB 10 million or forced shutdowns.
The system is expected to be rolled out via a government-developed app overseen by the Ministry of Public Security. All major platforms, including WeChat, Douyin, and Taobao, will be required to integrate with the new ID system. Internet users—both in mainland China and potentially in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese platforms—will be subject to the new rules.
International human rights organizations and cybersecurity experts have raised alarms, stating the system represents a major escalation in China’s digital authoritarianism. Groups such as ARTICLE 19 and the Chinese Human Rights Defenders warned that the policy will have a chilling effect on dissent, journalism, and open discourse online.
The broader context of the move ties into China’s ongoing push for "cyber sovereignty," a concept that allows national governments to exert full control over the internet within their borders. The country has also been piloting blockchain-based identity systems like RealDID, which could be integrated with the internet ID framework in the future.
As the July deadline approaches, global observers are closely watching how the enforcement unfolds, how tech companies respond, and whether this model will influence other governments seeking tighter control over digital communications. With China setting a precedent, the debate over privacy, surveillance, and online freedom is likely to intensify on the international stage.