Providing information publishing and instant messaging services requires users to provide authentic identity information

Implementing a real-name verification system involves paying per-use fees for the verification channel. The service should be designed under the principle of “real names stored in the backend, nicknames displayed to users” — meaning the actual name is kept on file while users can choose any nickname they prefer on the interface.

The law says: "Where a network operator handles network access or domain-name registration for a user, handles network-entry procedures for a fixed telephone, a mobile telephone, or the like, or provides the user with services such as information publishing or instant messaging, it shall, when signing an agreement with the user or confirming that the service will be provided, require the user to provide real identity information. If the user does not provide real identity information, the network operator may not provide the relevant service." If you did not ask for a real name, or the user did not give a real identity and you still let them use it, you are ordered to correct. If you refuse to correct, or the case is serious, the fine is 50000 to 500000 yuan. You may also be ordered to suspend the relevant business, to suspend business for rectification, to close the website or the application, or to have the license or the business license revoked. The person directly in charge is fined another 10000 to 100000 yuan. Live-stream services follow the principle of "real name in the back, voluntary on the front," and do "authentication of real identity information based on a mobile telephone number or a similar method." That means the platform's back end stores the user's real name, the nickname shown on the page is chosen by the user, and the check uses something like a mobile number. Live-stream selling is stricter. It is "authentication of real identity information based on identity-document information, the unified social credit code, and the like." The unified social credit code is the string of numbers on the business license (nationwide).

全国人大常委会 (2025). 网络安全法（2025 年修正，2026 年 1 月 1 日施行，第二十六、六十四条；2016 年文本为第二十四、六十一条）. https://www.cac.gov.cn/2025-12/29/c_1768735112911946.htm ; 国家互联网信息办公室 (2016). 互联网直播服务管理规定（第十二、十六条）. https://www.cac.gov.cn/2016-11/04/c_1119847629.htm ; 国家网信办等七部门 (2021). 网络直播营销管理办法（试行）（国信办发文〔2021〕5 号，第八条）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2021-04/23/content_5601682.htm

The article numbering has been updated. The Cybersecurity Law was amended in 2025 and took effect on 1 January 2026. The real-name provisions moved from Article 24 to Article 26, while related penalties shifted from Article 61 to Article 64; the wording itself remains unchanged. Any existing documentation still referencing the old article numbers must be updated accordingly.