NPC seeks rules to limit real-name register abuse

China’s top legislature urged law enforcement agencies on Sunday to set rules on the collection and protection of personal information to prevent abuse of real-name registration systems.

“Each law enforcement agency should conduct more studies of what type of online services would need users’ real names and how to obtain users’ identities while preventing the information from being excessively collected or abused,” said Wang Shengjun, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.

Wang made the remark while delivering a report on the new Cybersecurity Law, which was submitted to the bimonthly session of the committee on Sunday.

“Real-name registration systems need improvement, and the number of identities collected should be reduced,” he said. “What we want is to further protect personal information.”

In September and October, the legislature’s six vice-chairs, including Wang and NPC deputies and committee members went to six areas, such as Heilongjiang province and Chongqing, to inspect enforcement of the law.

They visited cybersecurity monitoring agencies and selected 20 vital information systems in each area to undergo security testing by the China Information Technology Security Evaluation Center.

They authorized China Youth Daily to conduct a survey on cybersecurity.

The poll with 10,370 respondents found that 61.2 percent had refused online service or products because they did not agree to provide personal information.

Almost half the respondents said they felt the collection of personal information was excessive.

“I don’t understand why some smartphone apps forced me to give my phone number before listening to music. Does it mean only real-name users can enjoy the music?” said Kong Yiying, 29, from Guangdong province.

“I think rules about that should be made clear, and real-identity collection should be done in keeping with the rules.”

Liu Deliang, a law professor at Beijing Normal University, suggested the legislature and government make stricter regulations to prevent the abuse of real-name registration systems.

“Our personal information can be collected, but how to prevent data collectors from excessively or improperly using the information urgently needs to be taken into consideration,” he said.

Wang Sixin, a law professor at Communication University of China, said clauses of personal information protection are scattered over different laws or rules, suggesting the legislature unify and integrate them into one legal document.

The legislature also advised in the report strengthening online privacy protection through legislation.