New assessment tool launched in China to protect personal information

BEIJING -- An online privacy compliance assessment tool was launched Tuesday in China to address the growing problems concerning personal information protection in cyberspace.

The tool, developed by the China Electronics Standardization Institute, offers free online services including corporate privacy policy assessment for mobile applications and self-assessment for personal information protection compliance.

The tool was developed based on relevant laws, regulations and standards on personal information protection, said a source with the institute.

The tool will help strengthen personal information protection of enterprises so as to boost the work of different industries, said the source.

China has been taking measures to boost personal information protection. In January, four authorities including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Public Security jointly launched a campaign targeting illegal collection and use of personal information by mobile applications.