China Internet users fake identity numbers

Chinese officials say Internet users in the country are using false identity card numbers to mask their identities while accessing Web sites and games.

An official from the National Citizen Identity Information Center said software that generates fake identity information can be downloaded off the Internet for use in registering online game or Web site accounts leaving users vulnerable to identity theft, Xinhua, China's official government-run news agency, reported Tuesday.

"Chinese game companies and most of the Web sites that require personal information on registration do not check anything. Their 'real name registration systems' are simply no match for the identity card number generators," the official said.

"Even children can now access games and Web sites that contain unsuitable content using the identity card number generator," he said.

Huang Chenqing, secretary-general of the Internet Society of China, said: "A lot of Internet users just don't want to register under their real names for fear that they cannot do and say what they want on the 'Net as freely as before. What's more, some Internet users don't trust game companies and Web sites with their personal information."

Copyright 2006 by United Press International