On January 18 during its seventh meeting, Jiangsu Provincial People's Congress Standing Committee adopted the Xuzhou Computer Information System Security Protection Ordinance. This news aroused public interest. Various media and most netizens interpreted this as meaning that Xuzhou will ban cyber-hunting.

According to a survey by people.com.cn, over 90% of internet users hold the opposite opinion and think that a ban on cyber-hunting is not conducive to the ability of the grassroots to ensure public accountability.

On the same day, 163.com also conducted a survey titled "Are you worried about being cyber hunted?" Over 80% of people said, "I am not worried about it at all, as I have never done anything in violation of laws or any moral code," and nearly 15% said, "I am worried but I am opposed to banning cyber-hunting."

However, in an interview with People's Daily, a source from the Law Working Committee of Jiangsu Provincial People's Congress said, "Xuzhou Computer Information System Security Protection Ordinance aims at protecting the safety of personal information. To interpret this ordinance as banning cyber-hunting is not accurate."

"The ordinance doesn't mention cyber-hunting, although there exist disputes on cyber-hunting itself," said Feng Tao, Director of the Law Working Committee of Xuzhou Municipal People's Congress.

"Cyber-hunting concerns another issue, the right of public supervision and accountability. To combat certain undesirable or illegal phenomena, citizens can exercise their right of supervision through legitimate channels. However, people should not transmit another person's private details or access another person's personal information without permission. In another words, citizens should not abuse their own rights," he added.

Feng Tao revealed that some clarification may be added to the ordinance to counter public disquiet.

To a certain extent cyber-hunting can improve social ethics and can help resolve some problems. However, as it is currently conducted, peppered with invective and harassment, cyber-hunting in fact sometimes violates individual privacy.

Experts therefore advise that relevant departments need to strengthen management of websites which offer cyber-hunting services and strictly define different behaviors that violate laws or the moral code, to allow cyber-hunting to develop in a healthy and legitimate way.

(China.org.cn by Ma Yujia January 20, 2009)