China released proposed changes to its Internet law yesterday that aim to further eliminate anonymity on the Web and expand control over the companies behind the country's boisterous microblogging scene. In a draft update of the government's "Methods for Governance of Internet Information Services", it is proposing to widen the definition of "Internet information service providers" to include online forums, blogs and microblogs. It will also require microblog operators like Sina Corp and Tencent Holdings to obtain an administrative licence to run the popular service. The document further states that information service providers, which allow users to post information on the Internet, should ensure that users are registered with their real identities.

TODAY