> but 5 years later western governments will follow this way

I don't want to minimize the assault on our privacy and anonymity from all directions, but the one positive trend in the US and Canada has been toward less ID or no ID for using Internet cafes.

I remember the early days of Internet cafes in North America, and they very often wanted to see ID.

These days there are lots of public wifi hotspots, where at most they ask for an email address (a throwaway email address works fine). The purpose of collecting an email address appears to be CYA -- they get some assurance that you've agreed to their Terms and Conditions.

But I have also seen a trend where cafes and bookstores are moving towards brand based wifi service. For example, Barnes and Noble stores offer free wifi through at&t. This require not only for you to be a at&t customer, but also to give up a good amount of your privacy.

I am an AT&T customer, but I have never, ever been asked about my AT&T subscription on B&N's wifi. Or anywhere else that uses AT&T's hotspot service.

Perhaps you already have the cookies.

On machines that access the Internet at home via Verizon and at work via Comcast?

I was in Beijing a few days ago and in most of the restaurants/cafes I only had to ask the waiter for the wifi password. No id checks required.

Some of the "western" bars even have a vpn running so you can browse facebook when connecting to their wifi.

Do you look western or Chinese?

I'm western looking but they gave the password to anyone who asked (including locals)

That's oddly similar to network access in Ender's Game.

Meh… It's not a good idea, but thanks to camcorders.

This would be problematic if there was not rampant corruption in China.

Somehow doubt this will happen - as other posters pointed out, it's not even as strictly enforced as you make it sound.

see: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-20027837-501465.html title: Obama Eyeing Internet ID for Americans