(Yicai) Aug. 2 -- Instant messenger WeChat, lifestyle application Xiaohongshu and 65 other Chinese applications and scenarios have begun piloting the use of a new online identification card that the Chinese government is mulling introducing.

Natural persons with valid identification documents can apply for an online ID card through the government’s public service platform, the Ministry of Public Security and the Cyberspace Administration of China said in a draft proposal released on July 26, which is open to feedback from the public until Aug. 25.

Sixty-seven mobile apps and scenarios are already trying out the new system. Apart from WeChat and Xiaohongshu, they also include the central government's services platform, rail ticketing site 12306 and Alibaba Group Holding's e-retailer Taobao.

Digital ID cards are not mandatory and internet platforms are encouraged to provide this service on a voluntary basis, the draft proposal said.

Online ID cards can be used on internet platforms that require real-name authentication, which is when users must register using their legal names, and not a pseudonym, and must provide identification credentials.

The move would allow users to sign up for platforms using their e-ID cards and the platforms should not require them to provide clear-text identity information such as full name and ID number separately.

For Taobao, WeChat and Xiaohongshu, the online ID would mostly be used to re-authenticate users of abnormal accounts.

National network identity authentication is not yet a log-in or sign-up option on WeChat and Taobao yet, Yicai found today. As of press time, these platforms had not yet responded to Yicai about their trial programs.

Editors: Shi Yi, Kim Taylor