Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 10th. Premier Li Qiang recently signed a State Council order to promulgate the "Regulations on the Management of Public Safety Video Image Information Systems" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"), which will come into effect on April 1, 2025.

The Regulations aim to standardize the management of public safety video systems, maintain public safety, and protect personal privacy and personal information rights. There are 34 articles in total, mainly stipulating the following contents.

First, adhere to the leadership of the Party. It emphasizes that the management of public safety video system adheres to the leadership of the Communist Party of China and implements the lines, principles, policies, and decisions and deployments of the Party and the country.

The second is to strictly regulate construction and illegal construction is strictly prohibited. It is clarified that local people's governments at or above the county level should strengthen overall planning and avoid duplicate construction. Relevant government departments and business management units should build public safety video systems in accordance with plans and standards. Except for departments, units or individuals that have business management responsibilities and safety precautions, any other unit or individual may not install image collection equipment and facilities in public places. It is prohibited to install image collection equipment and facilities in areas and parts such as homestays, dormitories, locker rooms that can shoot, peep and eavesdrop on others' privacy. If it is clear that image collection equipment and facilities are installed around military restricted areas, military management areas, and state organs and other confidential units, the consent of the relevant confidential units shall be obtained in advance.

The third is to clarify the responsibilities of all parties and strengthen management obligations. Clarify the construction requirements of the public safety video system, the operational safety responsibilities and the use requirements of the public safety video system management unit, the security management obligations of telecommunications business operators for the transmission of video image information, and the confidentiality obligations of design, construction, inspection, acceptance, maintenance and other units for the video image information.

Fourth, increase protection efforts to ensure the security of personal information. It is clear that video image information that has achieved the processing purpose after the expiration of the shelf life shall be deleted. Strictly regulate the authority and procedures for state organs and individuals to access video image information. It is required to strictly protect personal and organization-related information when disseminating video image information. It is clear that the installation of image collection equipment and facilities in non-public places shall not endanger public safety or infringe on the legitimate rights and interests of others.

Fifth, strengthen supervision and management and strictly enforce legal responsibilities. Clarify the guidance and supervision and management responsibilities of the public security organs and establish a filing and reporting system. Those who illegally install image collection equipment and facilities, or illegally provide or publicly disseminate video image information, shall confiscate equipment and facilities, delete video image information, and impose fines; those who peep, take photos, or eavesdrop on other people's privacy shall be punished in accordance with the law; those who illegally obtain state secrets or military secrets shall be punished in accordance with the relevant laws; those who constitute a crime shall be held criminally liable in accordance with the law. Business management units or individuals who fail to fulfill their daily management and inspection obligations and cause serious consequences will be fined and punished. According to the severity of the circumstances, they will be ordered to suspend business or suspend business and rectify, revoke the business license or business license. The public security organs are required to strengthen internal supervision and stipulate corresponding legal responsibilities for illegal and irregular behaviors of public security organs, other state organs and their staff.