CCTV News: In recent years, while the application of algorithms has injected new momentum into economic and social development, the irrational application of algorithms such as algorithm discrimination, "big data killing", and inducing addiction has also brought trouble to our lives. In response to these problems, the "Provisions on the Recommendation and Management of Internet Information Service Algorithms" jointly formulated by the Cyberspace Administration of China and other four departments was officially released on January 4, extending a "sharp sword" to various algorithm chaos.
The Provisions make it clear that the application of algorithm recommendation technology refers to the use of algorithmic techniques such as generative synthesis, personalized push, sorting selection, retrieval and filtering, and scheduling and decision-making to provide information to users. This means that all kinds of Internet companies that provide algorithm recommendation services are almost within the scope of supervision, such as various short video platforms, e-commerce platforms, social platforms and catering takeaway platforms.
Guarantee the user's algorithm knowledge and choice
The Provisions require that users' right to know and choose algorithms should be guaranteed, and users should be provided with options that do not target their personal characteristics, or the option to conveniently turn off algorithm recommendation services.
Zuo Xiaodong, vice president of the China Academy of Information Security: Using algorithm recommendation can customize different information and services for individuals, there are two risks. The first is the risk of protecting users' personal information. Platform operators may collect or misuse citizens' personal information in violation of laws and regulations. The second is the risk of algorithmic manipulation. Because the information we each receive and the services we use are customized by the operators of the Internet platform, this may also lead to public opinion security risks. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen algorithm recommendation, which is not only the need to safeguard the rights and interests of individual citizens, but also the need to safeguard national security.
It is forbidden to "kill big data" to protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers
In response to the "killing of big data", the "Provisions" propose that unreasonable differential treatment shall not be implemented according to the characteristics of consumer preferences, trading habits and other characteristics, and the algorithm shall not be used to implement unreasonable differential treatment on trading conditions such as transaction prices.
The "Provisions" make it clear that minors must not be pushed information that might affect minors' physical and mental health, such as acts that might lead to their imitation of unsafe conduct and violations of social morality, or induce minors to have bad habits, and must not use algorithm recommendation services to induce minors to become addicted to the Internet.
Zuo Xiaodong, vice president of the China Academy of Information Security: The platform deliberately invests in its own preferences and pushes specific information to minors. For example, knowing that you like to read horror novels, push them one after another.
For the elderly, it is stipulated that algorithm recommendation services should fully consider the needs of the elderly such as travel, medical treatment, consumption, and work, and shall facilitate the safe use of algorithm recommendation services by the elderly.
Improve platform scheduling services to protect the rights and interests of workers
Before the promulgation of the Provisions, some takeaway platforms used algorithms to measure the delivery time of takeaway workers, which caused social controversy, and the unreasonable algorithm mechanism once made takeaway riders labeled as the most dangerous occupations. In view of such phenomena, the Provisions propose that relevant algorithms such as platform order distribution, remuneration composition and payment, working hours, rewards and punishments should be established and improved.
Zuo Xiaodong, vice president of the China Academy of Information Security: Some platforms treat workers differently, and some riders have more income today, so when they send orders again, they deliberately send him a long-distance, low-priced order to control his income for the day.
Protecting data security Network security review methods are coming
In order to implement the requirements of laws and regulations such as the Data Security Law, 13 departments, including the Cyberspace Administration of China and the National Development and Reform Commission, revised and issued the Measures for Network Security Review, and the revised Measures came into effect on 15 February 2022.
More than one million user information is required to conduct a network security review to go public abroad
According to the relevant person in charge of the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Measures include situations in which network platform operators carry out data processing activities that affect or may affect national security, and make it clear that network platform operators with more than 1 million users' personal information must apply to the Network Security Review Office for network security review when they go public abroad.
Zuo Xiaodong, vice president of the China Academy of Information Security: The purpose of the review is to prevent critical information infrastructure from being controlled, to prevent core data, important data, and a large amount of personal information from being stolen, and to prevent network information security risks.
Prevent data security risks Protect national security
The Measures require that where critical information infrastructure operators purchase network products and services, they shall prejudge the national security risks that may be brought about by the products and services after they are put into use. Where it affects or may affect national security, a network security review shall be reported to the Network Security Review Office.
Zuo Xiaodong, vice president of the China Academy of Information Security: For ordinary users, we must realize that data security has become an important part of national security, and we must pay attention to preventing data security risks and fulfilling data security protection obligations.
China has continuously strengthened the construction of data security laws and regulations
In recent years, China has continuously strengthened the construction of laws and regulations on network security and data security, and issued and implemented 2 laws and 1 regulation last year alone. On September 1, 2021, the Data Security Law and the Regulations on the Security Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure came into effect, and on November 1, the Personal Information Protection Law came into effect.
Zuo Xiaodong, vice president of the China Academy of Information Security: The two regulations released today are the provisions of the higher-level law, which shows that China's legal and regulatory system in this regard has been continuously improved and improved, and there is a more sufficient legal basis for maintaining national network security and data security.
【CCTV Short Comment】Cultivate a vibrant ecology with the awareness of pipe networks according to law
Modern life is inseparable from the Network, the benefits and disadvantages of the Internet are affecting us realistically, then we must develop sound rules for the development of the Internet, including criminal and civil legal provisions, including national security and public safety redlines, including values that do not violate ethics and morality, including economic models that do not harm fairness and justice, in short, can not make people feel that what is not dare to do offline dares to do online. China has the world's largest network users, but also the formation of the world's most considerable network economic system, we must put the development of the Internet into the law to follow, there is a law to follow, the law must be strict, the law must be investigated, with the awareness of the construction of the pipe network according to law, to cultivate a network ecology that seeks benefits and avoids harm, is vibrant and thriving.