The Ministry of Industry and Information (MII) has issued a directive to all local communications administration offices in China to accelerate efforts to fortify website registration information. The plan claims that companies and individuals may register websites.
Any individual, who is a future website owner, has to provide an original copy of his identification card, or his household register, military officer card, Taiwan compatriot travel certificate, or foreign passport as an alternative. The individual owner will also be photographed and his photo kept on record.
MII claimed the goal is to control the online pornography industry. VOA reported that human rights activists see it as political tightening to restrict website owners from criticizing the government.
Sources:
1. China News Service, February 23, 2010
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/it/it-itxw/news/2010/02-23/2132878.shtml
2. Voice of America, February 24, 2010
http://www1.voanews.com/chinese/news/china/CHINATIGHTENSINTERNETCONTROL-20100224-85190912.html