The State Council has launched legislation procedures on
personal information protection law in a bid to better safeguard
citizens' privacy.
Media reports said a Chinese website publicly put nine thousand
pieces of detailed personal data on sale, causing widespread social
concern. The disclosure of private phone numbers, home and work
place addresses and financial records seriously infringes on the
privacy and life of the general public.
The current draft stipulates that personal information, as a
part of a person's right of privacy, is a citizen's "intangible
property", and those who steal other's personal information for
financial gain are in violation of the law and shall be dully
punished.
(CRI January 9, 2006)
