Southern Metropolis Daily:

Nearly a decade ago, the MIIT issued China's first regulations on the protection of personal information. This year, regulations on protecting personal information of telecom and Internet users will be revised for the first time. We note that personal information protection has also experienced a process from dispersive legislation to special legislation over the past ten years. What are the priorities and changes of the MIIT's work in protecting personal information against the backdrop of special legislation? Thank you.

Han Xia:

Thanks for your question. Protecting personal information is taking center stage as the internet rapidly develops and various online applications and services are emerging. The MIIT has attached great importance to the protection of personal information. We are thoroughly implementing the Personal Information Protection Law and applying legal norms, administrative supervision, technical support, social co-governance, and other measures to effectively protect personal information.

First, we have actively adapted to technological development and changes and studied and improved the legal system in a timely manner. In 2013, the MIIT issued the first domestic departmental regulation on personal information protection, namely the Provisions on Protecting the Personal Information of Telecommunications and Internet Users. Last year, we drafted the Interim Provisions on the Protection and Management of Personal Information of Mobile Internet Applications. At present, we are revising the Provisions issued in 2013 to determine the liability, enhance application management, and further improve the personal information protection system.

Second, we have focused on the people's concerns and strengthened the governance of prominent issues in protecting personal information in the telecommunications and internet industries. We have launched several special campaigns to crack down on applications' infringement on users' rights and interests and made known and removed nearly 3,000 illegal applications. As a result, the applications' infringement on users' rights and interests was effectively curbed. Next, we will protect users' rights and interests by supervising all existing apps, various terminals, application stores, and software development kit (SDK), among other key entities and areas. 

Third, we have accelerated the improvement of governance capacity by applying more technologies. We launched a national technology platform to detect applications. A total of 3.22 million applications have been detected. Next, a public service platform for detecting and certifying mobile internet programs will be set up to improve automatic detection, big data analysis, monitoring and early warning, certification signature, and ability to provide public services. These measures will provide stronger support for industry governance.

Fourth, we have fostered a favorable governance environment by creating synergy. We have strengthened coordination with relevant departments and ensured the active role of all sectors of society is given full play, forming a co-governance pattern featuring government supervision, corporate self-discipline, social supervision, and user participation. In the future, we will continue to look into new situations and new problems, summarize the new practical experience, refer to successful international practices, strengthen supervision and inspection, and urge enterprises to take their responsibilities and improve their compliance, in order to create a safe, sound and orderly environment for the application of information and communication. Thanks.