These days it's quite common for people to receive advertising
via phone calls, text messages or e-mails. But what's worrying is
how their personal information falls into the hands of
strangers.
Is that what the information age is about? Of course not, but
that seems to be the reality.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid interruptions
from advertisers.
A mother who's just given birth is bombarded by phone calls
asking whether she wants milk powder for her newborn.
People lose money and property to swindlers after personal
information is unintentionally or deliberately leaked.
It is high time to legislate to protect our personal
information.
The State Council has begun drafting a law to this effect.
Many people are unclear about where the line is when it comes to
the use of personal information.
Individuals are not allowed to read their personal files, such
as banking and personal credit records. Only those in charge of the
files know what's in them. Many do not know whether they have the
right to see their files.
This is unreasonable. When an individual has no right to check
their own files, there is a chance that information could be
fabricated and used to frame them. In this case, the individual's
personal information is not being well protected.
Therefore, an individual's right to know what is in their files
should also be included under the protection of personal
information legislation.
As telecommunications and Internet technology rapidly progress,
individuals are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the
manipulation of their personal information by institutions.
A law is vital to specify where the line is for institutions in
handling personal information.
Granted, some areas such as public security departments,
scientific research institutions and the media sometimes have to
use personal information without permission. But it is hoped the
new law will help protect our personal information from being
misused.
(China Daily August 5, 2007)