Raise data protection awareness

While making information disclosures on their websites recently, a number of higher-learning institutions across China reportedly leaked the personal information of students. Some local governments have also reportedly leaked personal information in the same way. Such information leaks occur when little thought is given to the consequences of revealing such information. Other school authorities or local governments have shown more foresight by not revealing the full identity numbers of students or citizens receiving scholarships, basic living allowances or government-subsidized housing, thus better protecting the beneficiaries’ privacy. So, personal information leaks usually occur not because of technical problems, but because of a lack of awareness about the need to protect people’s privacy.

There is also widespread lack of personal information protection awareness among Chinese internet users, many of whom are willing to risk giving their private information to online service providers. According to a survey in 2013, only 50 percent of the respondents felt the need to protect their privacy when providing their personal information online, compared with 83 percent in the United States.

Such awareness has been raised somewhat in China over the past years, but no substantial progress has been made on the part of both individuals and relevant departments.

The leakage of personal information may directly result in people’s interests being compromised. For example, personal information leaks leave space for individuals to fall prey to fraudsters. A survey conducted by the Internet Society of China in 2016 indicates that rubbish and fraudulent information and information leaks cause an annual loss of 91.5 billion yuan ($13.86 billion) in China.

Given that personal information leaks harm both individuals and society, the authorities should better realize the need to protect citizens’ personal information. Published by: Tel: Fax: Subscription: Advertising: Printed by: — GMW.cn

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