More than 90 percent of Chinese are concerned that their private
details have the potential to be leaked. A national survey found
that 91.8 percent of respondents were worried that private
information could too easily be revealed and used illegally.
And 74 percent went further saying tougher laws were needed to
protect privacy.
The survey, carried out by national newspaper China Youth
Daily and the Sina.com website in May, involved 4,003
people.
Of those 39.8 percent said they regularly received unsolicited
calls or text messages from companies trying to sell them
something. Just over 53 percent occasionally received such calls or
messages. People were shocked that the unwelcome callers appeared
to know so much about them.
They said some companies not only knew their name, mobile phone
number, place of work,?income and identification card number
but also their children's birthdays, the direction their apartment
faced and the license number and brand of their new cars.
At a website, called "Souren" or "personal search," the personal
details of 90 million people can be accessed, including phone
numbers, addresses and places of employment. .
In conclusion the survey said government departments were to
blame. "Tempted by personal gain, people and departments with
access to such information sell it to commercial entities seeking
customers," it said.
During the annual sessions of the National People's Congress this year and last
lawmakers called for enhanced legislation to protect personal
information.
NPC deputy Zhang Xuedong said, "We urgently need a personal
information protection law."
China began drafting such a law in 2003 but it has yet to be
listed in the NPC's five-year legislation plan.
(China Daily June 6, 2006)