What’s new: China’s newly proposed national digital identification system is being trialed across more than 80 internet service applications, days after Beijing released the draft rules on July 26 for the public to review and comment until August 25.
Internet users can now apply for their national digital ID ― showing user name, a “web number” and a QR code ― by logging onto a mobile app called National Web Identification Pilot Version, developed by China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS). To receive the digital ID in the app, users must go through steps such as national ID card verification and facial recognition.
Users can experiment with the digital ID on 81 applications so far, including 10 public service platforms, and 71 commercial apps, such as popular social media provider WeChat, online shopping service Taobao and online recruitment platform Zhaopin.
The background: The proposed digital ID, which was detailed in a draft provision released by the MPS and the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on Friday, aims to cut down on the personal information that internet platforms can collect from their users. The draft rules said users could apply for the digital ID on a voluntary basis.
It came as some internet platforms have abused the current real-name registration system in ways that have left them with an excessive amount of their users’ personal information, exacerbating privacy concerns and risks of leaks.
Contact reporter Lu Zhenhua (zhenhualu@caixin.com)
