Backlash Against China New Digital ID System Over Privacy Fears

China's plan to introduce a nationwide digital identification system has triggered widespread criticism and concerns over potential privacy violations. The proposed system, unveiled by the Chinese government last week, aims to allow users to verify their identities online without disclosing unnecessary personal information to internet service providers. However, legal experts and internet users in China have expressed skepticism about the true intentions behind the system.

Bloomberg reported that some experts believe the system could be used to enhance control over personal expression online. Law professor Lao Dongyan, in a now-deleted Weibo post, stated that the "real intention is to upgrade control over personal expression on online channels." Lawyer Tu Zhaoyong echoed this sentiment, arguing that the move would cause "enormous" damage to the trend of data freedom.

The Chinese government already mandates that internet users register for digital services using their real identities, granting authorities broad access to online behavior and communications. However, this new centralized digital ID system could potentially enable officials to monitor people's online lives even more directly and comprehensively.

Jeremy Daum, a senior research scholar at the Paul Tsai China Center at Yale Law School, suggested that the Chinese public might be wary of the system due to their experience with the online identification system used during the COVID-19 pandemic, which tracked and controlled citizens' movements to contain the virus.

The digital ID system would utilize a digital ID that users could choose to adopt, allowing them to verify their identities online without revealing unnecessary personal information. However, critics argue that the system could lead to increased surveillance and control over individuals' online activities.

The controversy surrounding the digital ID system highlights the ongoing tension between the Chinese government's desire for control and the public's concerns about privacy. As the government continues to expand its digital infrastructure and capabilities, the debate over privacy and surveillance is likely to intensify.