As we reported in our client alert on January 23, 2013, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress issued a Decision on Reinforcing the Protection of Network Information on December 28, 2012. To implement this Decision, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (“MIIT”) published a draft version of the Provisions for Protection of Personal Information of Telecommunications and Internet Users (????????????????( ????)) (“Personal Information Protection Provisions”) and the Provisions for Registration of Authentic Identity Information of Telephone Subscribers («??????????????(?????)») (“Telephone Subscriber Registration Provisions”) on its official website on April 10, 2013 for public comment. The deadline for feedback and comments to the MIIT is May 15, 2013.

PERSONAL INFORMATION PROTECTION PROVISIONS -

The Personal Information Protection Provisions apply to the collection and use of personal information, and require telecommunications business operators and internet information service providers to fulfill the obligations set out in the provisions when collecting and using personal information from users.