China accelerates efforts to promote public awareness of cybersecurity

CNS

Just scan a QR code on a vending machine, then you will be given a drink. The special vending machine placed at the ongoing cybersecurity expo held in Tianjin has attracted many people to try it out.

Once you scan the code, you will receive a message in a second, reminding you that "arbitrary code-sweeping will endanger personal property safety," as your personal information might have been illegally collected.

This machine was installed by 360 Security Technology Inc.

The expo is a part of a cybersecurity publicity campaign held in north China's Tianjin Municipality, aiming to promote public awareness of the issue

In fact, it is also a part of the 2019 China Cybersecurity Week, held from September 16 to 22 nationwide.

The campaign was jointly launched by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission and the ministries of education, public security and industry and information technology.

Over 100 cybersecurity and Internet enterprises have attended various activities held during the week.

There will also be themed activities to promote cybersecurity issues related to students, the telecommunication sector and financial sector.

Personal information protection is a major theme of this year's campaign.

In Tianjin, an interactive experience area has been set up at the expo, which allowed visitors to raise their cybersecurity awareness through taking part in different activities.

"I've learned a lot about cybersecurity through these activities. Do not click strange links or download mobile software from unofficial platforms," said a 64-year-old visitor surnamed Zhang.

Statistics released showed that China has more than 200 app stores providing nearly 5 million apps. They bring convenience for many people, but some of them become "information funnels," leaking people's mobile phone numbers, call records, text messages, consumption records and other private information.

According to a report on netizen's satisfaction on cybersecurity issued during the event, 51.25 percent of surveyed Chinese netizens believe the Internet is safe, up 12.91 percentage points from last year. About 37 percent of the respondents believe there are personal information leaks on the Internet, and 58 percent experienced personal information infringement.

More than 82 percent of the respondents also urge legislation on individual information protection.

Early in January, the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration for Market Regulation teamed up to launch a campaign to crackdown on illegal collection of personal information in mobile apps.

So far, more than 600 popular apps have been evaluated, with over 200 apps asked to make improvements in personal information protection.