Chinese academic database fined for privacy violations

BEIJING -- The operators of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), a leading online academic database, have been penalized for illegal handling of users' personal information, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced Wednesday.
A fine of 50 million yuan ($6.95 million) has been imposed on three major operators of CNKI, the CAC said in a statement.
The statement said the operators collected users' personal information without consent on the 14 CNKI-related apps and illegally kept their information after they closed their accounts.
The operators were ordered to stop all illegal activities.
The CAC pledged to step up law enforcement concerning cyber security, data security, and personal information protection to create a healthy and well-regulated environment for business operations and protect citizens' legal rights and interests.
- China sees delivery of 120b parcels
- 30,000 coupons issued to stimulate spending at Beijing Ice and Snow Festival
- New desks and chairs redefine nap time for schoolchildren
- Anhui hospital probed for medical insurance fraud
- Pregnant bidder fined for disrupting auction of coveted phone number
- Former head of China's food reserves administration sentenced to 10 years in jail