China stresses protection of AIDS children's privacy

Chinese authorities have stressed privacy protection for AIDS-affected children and may punish those found leaking private information.

No institutions or individuals shall publish information such as the name, address, school, portrait or medical records of children infected with or impacted by AIDS without the approval of their guardians, according to a statement jointly issued by the National Health and Family Planning Commission, Education Ministry and Civil Affairs Ministry on Monday.

Other information that may be used to deduce the identity of these children is also barred from being publicized, the statement said.

It said those who leaked the information will be handled according to law.

China does not have a special privacy law, but items concerning privacy protection can be found in other laws or rules.