個人信息安全(gèrén xìnxī ānquán): Personal information security

When the Criminal Law was revised in 2015, it included infringement on a citizen's personal information as a crime. Those found guilty of the crime face up to three years in prison, with serious violations punishable by up to seven years in prison.

A new judicial interpretation jointly released by the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate on Tuesday, clearly sets out the criteria for sentencing.

According to the judicial interpretation, individuals who earn 5,000 yuan ($724) or more through illegally selling others' personal information face prison sentences of up to three years. While those who illegally obtain, sell or provide 500 pieces of data related to personal credit or property information face a prison term of up to seven years.

Moreover, the judicial interpretation makes clear that general personal information is also protected by the Criminal Law. This includes a person's name, address, identity card number, as well as other personal information such as travel information, the content on a cellphone, transaction data, and credit and accommodation records.

As a legal weapon, this judicial interpretation, which will take effect on June 1, is of great significance to safeguard the safety of people's personal information and crack down on telecom and online fraud.