Personal info needs better protection

Illegal online sales of private contact numbers is concerning both legal experts and the public. Specialized websites provide personal details of stock investors, property owners and VIP telecommunications clients and experts say privacy issues are at stake.

On this website, a package of contact information of over 500-thousand mainland stock investors is priced at 600 yuan. The package also includes the stock value they are currently in possession of. In addition, the website claims that they have over 5 million private car owners' contact information in over 20 cities around the country.

Website staff Mr. Xie said, "All of our information is correct, as the information is from auto dealers and bureaus of vehicle management in these cities."

The website then offered mobile phone numbers of four car owners, all of which were proved correct.

Although it is illegal to sell personal contact information, such information is still likely to be released by telecommunication company staff during the process of mailing phone bills or sending service short messages. Legal experts pointed out that the country needs a specific law to persecute illegal information traders.

Editor:Zhang Ning