Weibo, a Chinese, sort of, Twitter, has informed users that it will start showing IP addresses on their profiles and in comments, in an attempt to prevent “bad behavior” on the Internet, Reuters reports.
Weibo’s move has sparked heated debates, and some users have been concerned.
“Every IP address seems to be whispering in your ear: Be careful,” user Misty wrote.
More than 570 million active users
Weibo, which has more than 570 million active users per month, has confirmed that the IP addresses of users will be displayed in new settings that have come into force and which users cannot turn off.
For users in China, the platform will show the province or municipality from which they publish. For those who use Weibo abroad, the country of the user’s IP address will be displayed.
The settings are designed to “reduce bad behavior”, such as misrepresenting people involved in hot topics and malicious misinformation, and to “ensure the authenticity and transparency of the content being spread”, the statement said.
The effects of the new rules are already visible
“Weibo has always been committed to maintaining a healthy and decent atmosphere of discussion and protecting the rights and interests of users to quickly obtain real and useful information,” the statement said.
The effects of the new rules were already visible below the notice, as many user comments bore an additional tag indicating the province or municipality of the user’s IP address.
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