Data security and information privacy are major public concerns in China. CGTN s Wu Lei spoke to a deputy from the National People s Congress who s fighting to make sure people s information is better protected online.

Guo Bing bought an annual pass to Hangzhou Safari Park in April 2019, with his fingerprints and photo taken for admission. Six months later, the park notified him that the old entry system had been replaced, with the new one using facial recognition technology. Guo Bing became concerned it might be used to steal his identity, and asked for a refund. The park refused. So Guo took the park to court in late 2019.

GUO BING Plaintiff This is one of the key disputes. They took my personal facial data through deceptive means, the park collected my facial data without letting me know.

After a second trial in 2020, Guo Bing is still waiting to hear back on the verdict from the Hangzhou Intermediate People s Court. As an associate law professor at Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Guo Bing is alert to controversial issues like this. But many people may not be as aware about how data is collected, used, stored and transferred.

WU LEI Shanghai This toilet paper machine also uses facial recognition technology to prevent waste. But in the digital age, more and more people are concerned about their privacy. So there s a message here saying it will not store any of the data it gathers.

But what if someone s personal data is leaked or stolen? How can companies be supervised? And if they violate regulations, how can they be punished? Legal experts say the existing laws do not provide adequate protection for individuals. As an NPC deputy, Zhang Tianren submitted his first draft on personal data and internet information security in 2017. This year marks his third time submitting a similar draft, but with some new angles.

ZHANG TIANREN NPC Deputy President of Tianneng Co., Ltd. This year I ve added some new information on biometric data security, including facial and fingerprint info into my draft, which will cover a wider and deeper space.

Home to the highest number of internet users globally, China unveiled a draft law on personal data protection last October. It clarified the definition of sensitive private data, including race, religion, biometric and financial information. Zhang Tianren aims to discuss this draft law with Chinese lawmakers at this year s Two Sessions, the country s annual political season that sees the national legislature and top political advisory body gather in Beijing in March.

ZHANG TIANREN NPC Deputy President of Tianneng Co., Ltd. Personal data security is closely connected to social development. Better protection of information can further boost digital technology and corporate innovation.

With the rapid growth of big data and artificial intelligence in China, people are expected to welcome new regulations that better protect their personal data and privacy. Supporters believe the law could strike a blow to those who ve illegally collected and shared personal information, for profit. WL, CGTN, Zhejiang Province.

来源：CGTN