Survey: Chinese want more online security

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BEIJING, May 22 (UPI) -- China's citizens want improved Internet security, with 70 percent reporting their personal information has been leaked online, a survey indicated.

Thirty percent of those surveyed claimed to have been victims of leaks more than once, the research conducted by "Banyuetan" or "China Comment," a political magazine published by China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, found.

In the survey of 3,046 people, 51 percent said they believe their personal information is most likely stolen by commercial institutions such as banks and insurance companies, Xinhua reported Wednesday.

However, one expert said the root of the problem is the public's lack of awareness on the issue.

Internet users often don't realize the risks involved when uploading their pictures on the net or discussing their daily life on microblogs or other social network sites, on-line security expert Zhan Qian from the Communication University of China said.

Respondents to the survey expressed a strong demand for authorities to consider legislation to protect personal information, Xinhua reported.