Cybersecurity law starts for better personal info protection

BEIJING — China's Cybersecurity Law will take effect on June 1, banning online service providers from collecting and selling users' personal information.

The internet service providers cannot collect user information that is irrelevant to the services, and they should handle such information in line with laws and agreements, according to the new law that was adopted by China's top legislature in November last year.

Users now have rights to ask service providers to delete their information if such information is abused.

Cybersecurity management staff must also protect information obtained, and are banned from leaking or selling the information, including privacy and commercial secrets.

Those who violate the provisions and infringe on personal information will face hefty fines.

The law also made it clear that no one can use the Internet to conduct fraud or sell prohibited goods.

Several other regulations will come into force on June 1.

A regulation on online news requires individuals and groups to get government permission before releasing news on instant messaging apps or social websites.

Civilian drones weighing more than 250 grams must be registered under real names to improve civil aviation safety.

An amended regulation on farming pesticide bans the use of highly toxic pesticides on edible agricultural products and strictly limits the use of pesticide.