China to penalise internet users for ‘liking’ content deemed illegal, harmful amid protests over Covid restrictions

The watchdog in China is stepping up and setting cyberspace regulations to crack down on the online disagreement growing in China on the COVID restrictions laid for the public. The enforcement of the new rules will be effective from 15 December 2022. The introduction and amendment of the new regulations happened earlier this month by the CAC under the strict vigilance of China’s President Xi Jinping. These have gained the audience's attention and will be enforced right after the anger wave sweeping in China.

From the nation's top cities, be it Beijing or Shanghai, protests were happening, demanding to end the COVID restrictions. In contrast, internet users are taking screenshots and evading the censors. With an intent to scrub the internet of dissent, the authorities are scrambling. However, CAC introduced the new rules way back in 2017.

Now the nation feels to control the dissent going viral on the internet and regulate the 'likes' and comments in favour of the aggression.




The mandatory precheck set for websites is to verify the users and capture their real identities before they submit any post or like. The first layer of personal details will help trace and deem illegal. Additionally, a credit rating system needs to be developed at the backend. Yet the analysts are questioning the practical implications of the new regulations. Cyberspace policing is already beyond the measures, but the netizens still do not fear challenging this regime.

FAQs:

1. Who is the CAC chair?
   Xi Jinping.
2. What is CAC?
   Cyberspace Administration of China.
3. When will the new regulations be enforced?
   15 December.