Harsher penalties better protect personal data

Users of social-networking app WeChat on Tuesday found their feeds full of blurred pictures, many accompanied by flirty captions. [Photo/IC]

THE PERSONAL information of more than 200,000 infants and children aged from 1 to 5 years can be bought at the price of only 32,000 yuan ($4,920) in Jinan, capital of Shandong province in East China. As well as the children's names, the information includes the parents' phone numbers and the families' address. Beijing News commented on Thursday:

The leaked information is not only a violation of privacy, but it also potentially puts the children at risk of child traffickers and pedophiles.

Even though an amendment to the Criminal Law in 2009 makes the selling of personal information punishable by imprisonment and a fine, such infringements have continued and even intensified.

Unfortunately, there are huge benefits to be made by selling personal information, and therefore the risk of three years imprisonment or criminal detention, plus a small fine, seems worth taking to some people.

In Singapore, breaching the personal data law can result in a fine of up to S$1 million. In this light, our legislation needs to add a little "weight" to the penalties that such criminal activities incur.