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Law amendments adopted to protect personal info

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-28 17:26

China's top legislature approved a number of criminal law amendments in Beijing on Saturday that better protect personal information and punish bribe-taking relatives of officials.

One of the amendments added an article which forbids staff in government offices, financial, medical and educational institutions, as well as transport and communications departments- which usually have access to personal data- to sell or leak such information.

Offenders could face a maximum jail term of three years as well as fines. But how much someone would have to pay was not specified.

For offenses systematically committed by government offices or corporations, those directly responsible would face the same penalties, according to the amendment, which was proposed in August last year.

People who obtain another person's private information illegally would face the same penalties as those who illegally divulged information.

Another amendment bans relatives of or people who have close relations with government employees from conducting corrupt deals between the employee and bribe-givers.

Offenders in "very serious cases" could face a minimum jail term of seven years, according to the amendment.

Proposed punishments also include fines and confiscation of personal property, but the draft does not define the seriousness of a case or the exact amount of fines.

The Supreme People's Court would make judicial interpretations when dealing with real cases, according to a proposal of the NPC Law Committee, which is responsible for drafting the amendment.

This also applies to government employees who have already left their posts, as well as their family members, if they are involved in power-for-money deals.

The amendments, which take effect Saturday, also imposed penalties on computer hackers and on people involved in pyramid selling and illegal banking.

The 11th National People's Congress Standing Committee approved the amendments at its seventh meeting, which was held from Feb 25 to 28.