Lack of awareness

According to Peng Guangqian, a specialist in military strategy at the Academy of Military Sciences at the People's Liberation Army, the problem is widespread.

He said it "has penetrated every corner" of Chinese society, from the economic field, such as data on oil fields, basic infrastructure and water conservancy facilities to data about the homes and locations of elite Chinese leaders.

The importance of keeping such information confidential has led cases of people violating State secrets, Peng said.

Many cunning foreigners obtain geological intelligence by cooperating with related organizations or State-owned companies, according to Peng.

Also, Peng warned that some Web users who upload core geological information onto the Internet may "intentionally or unintentionally help enemy countries acquire or verify the detailed information and threaten our national security.

Chen Wei, manager of the map research and development department at Sina Cooperation, told the Global Times that is true.

"We can find dozens of unlawful practice of uploading maps with marked military infrastructure in a month," Chen said.

Chen's company launched a censorship office to scrutinize data uploaded to the Internet.

Harsh punishment

Jiang Shan, a senior military journalist at People's Daily, warned Internet users to avoid releasing sensitive data.

"Do not mark military zones, facilities or any information regarding the Chinese military on maps, and never mark basic infrastructure used by civil and military authorities," Jiang said.

Liu Rui, an editor at a cultural magazine and a map lover, said she never uploaded such information.

"I will deliberately ignore any information on military zones when drawing homemade maps," she said.

"Whether they are geological secrets or other State secrets, those who steal them must face harsh criminal charges," said Chen Tao, a criminal law lawyer with the Beijing Bar Association.