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China’s New Internet ID Prompts Fears of Total Digital Surveillance and Control

The system is already integrated into more than 400 apps, spanning e-commerce, health care, tourism, education, and public services.
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China’s New Internet ID Prompts Fears of Total Digital Surveillance and Control
People use computers at an Internet bar in Beijing. The Chinese regime is mandating censorship software for every computer sold in China. Liu Jin/AFP/Getty Images
Michael Zhuang
7/6/2025|Updated: 7/16/2025
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Starting on July 15, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will launch a sweeping new internet ID system, raising concerns that the initiative could usher in a new era of surveillance and control over the digital lives of more than 1 billion people.

The new program, introduced by six major government departments including the CCP’s Ministry of Public Security and China’s top internet regulator, will require users to register with their real names and obtain a state-issued “internet number” and “internet certificate.” These digital IDs will be used to access any online platform that requires real-name authentication, potentially including everything from social media to health records, education portals, and government services.

Michael Zhuang
Michael Zhuang
Author
Michael Zhuang is a contributor to The Epoch Times with a focus on China-related topics.
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