Real-name cell registration to stop SMS harassment?
- Source: The Global Times
- [21:55 June 08 2009]
- Comments
Editor’s Note:
It is reported that China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has proposed a regulation that would require all mobile phone numbers to be registered with the user’s real name. The purpose of the rule would be to curb SMS spam and fraud. The news has aroused nationwide debate. Some media outlets say the measure will effectively control the problem, while most citizens disagree.
The importance of this regulation does not lie in the addressing of harassing calls, but in catalyzing the development of mobile phone information technology in China.
Harassing calls and spam messages are invading the private space of mobile phone users. Although wireless carriers opened hotlines to encourage users to report such abuse, the problem has still not been solved. The low cost of mobile phone spam and fraud and the high profits they bring to various individuals and companies make it worthwhile to continue violating the law.
Only a sound monitoring mechanism, backed up by a powerful enforcement and punishment mechanism, can address the problem. Given the fact that there is no structure in place to supervise the real-name registration, such a system will make no difference.
On the other hand, implementing the proposed system might promote the development of mobile information technology.
First, the real-name system will greatly benefit businesses like mult i media messaging service (MMS) coupons, which allows users to book tickets with mobile phones. Users could search the Interent for information on discounts and download this information and make their purchases using MMS.
This new mode of e-commerce will be accelerated thanks to the real-name system, which will also let customers book train and plane tickets, easing ticket office strain during holidays.
Second, this system is bene f i c i a l for identification. The second-generation ID card is a magnetic card, recording the user’s information. As long as the real-name system is adopted, people can easily find information related to the carrier from their mobile phones.
Finally, it will facilitate the development of mobile payments to banks and other institutions, which will considerably enhance the efficiency of the financial sector as well as people’s lives. Mobile messaging will play an important role in sectors like finance and home life in the future.
Online responses:
● A netizen from Shangdong Province: “A lot of SMS spam is not sent by mobile phones. Operators have something to do with SMS spam and fraud and they profit from it.”
● A netizen from Hebei Province: “The real-name system is nothing but a joke. Nowadays one can easily buy mobile numbers from vendors. These people don’t care whether you have an ID card or not as long as they can make money. It’s impossible to require everyone to show their real ID card when buying mobile numbers.”