China’s X-like service asks top influencers to show real names

Some Weibo users voiced concerns that the new rules may mean they could face more risks in real life from their online activities. — Photo by Steve Gale on Unsplash

Chinese microblogging site Weibo Corp. is planning to ask its more influential users to display their real names to the public, a move that could encroach on online privacy in the world’s biggest Internet arena.

The profiles of users with more than 1 million followers will be required to reveal their identities on the social media platform, Weibo Chief Executive Officer Wang Gaofei said last week. Wang has implemented the change to his personal account, which previously didn’t show his name publicly.