Chinese social media accounts that are anonymous are being targeted, raising worries about free expression and privacy.
Leading influencers on Weibo have been told they must use their real names, with other platforms expected to introduce similar rules
Change follows the introduction of new internet rules, but critics fear it will increase the risk of online harassment and the release of private data.
This week a number of popular Chinese social media accounts suddenly started closing or deleting large numbers of followers.
“I will close this account now and say goodbye to all of you,” one account that mainly posts celebrity news wrote. “I hope you all will lead happy and successful lives.”
They were reacting to a new policy that will make it mandatory for social media users with a large following on Weibo to disclose their real names – raising concerns that it will violate the privacy of tho