Online data leaks revealed to be fabricated

Remember the numerous claims of data leaks over the internet that caused widespread panic? Well, a police investigation into the cases has revealed most of them to be fabrications. And those responsible for spreading the false information are being held to account.

A massive leak of online personal data turns out to be a massive cheat. According to the National Internet Information Office, four people have been detained by the police so far and eight others punished after they were found guilty of hacking and fraud.

Police have cracked 12 such cases, nine of which involved insiders stealing and illegally selling online personal data, and three of which involved fabricated data leaks.

The cases that received the most public attention were the hacking of the country's largest programmer's website CSDN, one of the biggest internet shopping sites 360buy, major financial institutions such as the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and social networking sites, like Sina Weibo.

Well, it turns out that the banks were never hacked. The hacking of a few accounts from social networking sites took place on an individual basis. The hacking of 360 buy was in fact a blackmailer's false claim. And the hacking of CSDN happened 2 years ago and its system has been upgraded since to fend off future attacks.

The number of internet users has been climbing rapidly in China - an estimated 485 million were online, as of July last year. In December, authorities in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen launched an internet supervision measure requiring local microblog operators to implement real-name registration requirements for users, a move designed to curb online rumors and enhance social stability.