China’s cyber watchdog demands user data from internet firms in latest crackdown on dissent

Any platform that could be used to ‘socially mobilise’ or lead to ‘major changes in public opinion’ will be required to submit assessment reports

Regulator will also conduct on-site inspections and companies must show they are logging detailed information on users

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Control of the internet has tightened under President Xi Jinping as the Communist Party seeks to clamp down on dissent in the booming social media landscape. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 3:48pm, 15 Nov 2018Updated: 10:17pm, 15 Nov 2018

China’s cyber watchdog on Thursday said it will require detailed logs on users from internet firms as part of a new policy aimed at cracking down on dissenting opinion and online social movements.

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said that as of November 30 it will require assessment reports from any internet platform that could be used to “socially mobilise” or lead to “major changes in public opinion”.

As part of the assessments, which include on-site inspections, companies must show they are logging information including real names, usernames, account names, network addresses, times of use, chat logs, call logs and the type of device being used.

Content that “undermines” social stability, manipulates history or runs counter to the government line is deemed a cybersecurity risk in China. Photo: AFP

The CAC, in its policy notice posted on its website, did not name specific companies affected, but listed a wide range of services including chat functions, blogs, public accounts, webcasts, video sites and news providers.

Companies with those functions include Tencent Holdings, Alibaba Group Holding, Baidu as well as Apple, which hosts its message service in China. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.