User info disclosure to face criminal charges in China

(ECNS) - Leaking personal information gathered in various online services such as digital payments, Internet gaming and live streaming can bring criminal charges, China's Supreme People's Court has ruled.

According to the law, service providers who fail to fulfill information network security administration duties prescribed by laws and administrative regulations and refuse to take remedial measures also face criminal liability.

The Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate gave the latest interpretation to further clarify the definition of “network service providers.”

The term refers to individuals or organizations providing Internet access, domain name registration, information storage and delivery. It also includes those providing public services in telecommunication, energy, transportation, water conservancy, finance, education and medical care.

Besides, search engines, instant messaging, online payments, booking services, shopping, live streaming, advertising, app stores and those who disseminate information are also placed under the terms of network service providers. 

At a press conference in Beijing, Jiang Bo, director of the court’s research office, said the increasing number of cybercrimes in recent years had seriously jeopardized national security, endangered social order and harmed the rights and interests of the people.