China has rolled out a national cyber identification system, concluding a year-long pilot phase and marking the official implementation of a policy that has drawn criticism.
Introduction of the Cyber ID App
The cyber ID app was launched on July 15, 2025. It generates an encrypted string of characters enabling individuals to verify their identity online without revealing real names or official identification numbers. According to authorities, this initiative is voluntary and backed by government bodies such as the Ministry of Public Security and the Cyberspace Administration of China.
Government’s Perspective on Data Security
Government officials claim that the measure aims to bolster data security while minimizing personal information collection. A representative from Southwest University of Political Science and Law wrote in an article for a public security bureau, stating that the pilot phase reduced user data by 89%. The official drew parallels with digital identity frameworks in the European Union and Singapore, emphasizing that the voluntary nature is crucial to its design.
Online Skepticism and Legal Concerns
Despite government assertions, the rollout has sparked skepticism on Chinese social media. Posts on RedNote questioned whether the new ID system genuinely enhances privacy, with users speculating that it could facilitate surveillance of online activities. The number of platforms supporting the system has risen to 67, including major services from Tencent, Alibaba, and ByteDance.
China has enforced real-name registration across digital services for years. Regulations dating back to 2010 mandate ID verification for mobile phone registration, while rules introduced in 2017 require platforms like messaging services and online forums to collect users’ official identification numbers.
Legal Scrutiny and Censorship
Scholars raising concerns about the cyber ID system have faced censorship. A law professor from Tsinghua University questioned the necessity of the program in a July 2024 Weibo post, arguing that existing regulations had already achieved comprehensive real-name compliance among internet users. She claimed that the true purpose was to strengthen behavioral controls online rather than protect personal data. Her post was removed shortly after publication, and her posting privileges were suspended for three months.
A separate article by a Peking University law professor warning that a unified online identity system could enable comprehensive tracking of individuals’ digital activity was also deleted from the university’s official WeChat account.
