Chinese state media warns of privacy risk from selling government data
- An outlet owned by the Xinhua news agency warned that ‘different data sets are widely leaked, it could pose a risk to national security’
“Government data is characterised by a large sample size, high sensitivity, and strong aggregation, making it highly susceptible to breaches of privacy data,” said a report published on Tuesday by Xinhua Daily Telegraph, an outlet owned by the state news agency. “If different data sets are widely leaked, it could pose a risk to national security.”
It continued: “It is important to be vigilant about the risks of certain administrative agencies purely seeking profit and engaging in administrative monopolies in the process of managing public data.
“Public data should not simply become a tool or means for the government to increase fiscal revenue; it should maintain a focus on public welfare and uphold the social public interest.”
“In some areas, the decline in land-based finance and the significant pressure of debt repayment are increasing the possibility of an impulse towards a data-driven economy,” it said. “Some are even suggesting that local governments explore a transition from land-based finance to a data-driven economy.”
It also said possessing government and public data had “significant social and economic value” because of the extensive and comprehensive information available and clear sourcing.