China scraps real-name blogging plan

China has shelved a plan to force internet users to register their real names when signing up for blogging services after strong opposition from hosting companies, the Financial Times reported. However, users will still be encouraged to use real names and host companies will be held responsible for censoring suspect blog entries. State media quoted Huang Dengqing, general secretary of the Internet Society of China, as saying that the plan had been dropped due to difficulties in setting up systems to verify identities and to ensure blog hosts maintained data privacy. The decision was seen to represent the challenges Beijing faces in balancing controls over online content with the development of a strong domestic internet industry. The government still wants to introduce compulsory real-name registration for online role-playing games as part of moves to limit addiction among young players.