China's proposal to create a cyber-ID system faces criticism

A woman looks at her phone at the Shichahai Lake pub area in Beijing on July 16, 2024. [AP Photo]]

Concern is rising among China's more than 1 billion internet users over a government proposal portrayed as a step to protect their personal information and fight against fraud. Many fear the plan would do the opposite.

China's Ministry of Public Security and the Cyberspace Administration issued the draft "Measures for the Administration of National Network Identity Authentication Public Services" on July 26.