Local political adviser An Qi has submitted a proposal to the CPPCC Shanghai Committee, seeking measures to prevent unnecessary collection and misuse of personal data.

An, also a professor at the School of Mechanical and Power Engineering of East China University of Science and Technology, proposed that rules and regulations be drawn up to prevent the random collection of personal data and to avoid leaks of biometric information such as fingerprints and facial data.

Personal privacy needs to become a major concern as Shanghai seeks to promote the development of its artificial intelligence industry.

The leveraging of AI and personal data goes unnoticed in social management and also in the industrial sector, but this also raises concern about possible data leaks that can have grave consequences, he noted.

He suggests that Shanghai draw up regulations to allow only designated companies or institutions to collect personal data. These should also stipulate how data are collected under specific circumstances.

Stipulations should also exist regarding which areas and industries are entitled to use personal information, and personal privacy should not be comprised, the proposal adds.