Fines for personal data leaks in Hebei

Illegally leaking the personal information of another is liable for a fine of up to 500,000 yuan ($80,057), according to a new regulation in Hebei Province.

Any individual who trades another's personal information can be fined a maximum of 50,000 yuan, and companies that illegally trade people's personal data can face fines ranging from 100,000 yuan to 500,000 yuan. The regulation also sets a precedent for legislation in other regions around the country.

A nationwide campaign earlier this year netted some 2,000 criminal suspects for their roles in some 3,000 personal information trading cases. Forty-four criminal groups were busted.

China now has dozens of regulations related to the protection of personal information, but they have not deterred criminals from trading in the data.