Criminal Regulation of Illegal Use of Citizens’ Personal Information

Abstract

With the rapid development of information technology, the collection, storage, and use of citizens’ personal information have become increasingly convenient. At the same time, the illegal use of personal information has become rampant, seriously threatening personal privacy rights and social order. This paper aims to systematically explore the criminal regulation of illegal use of citizens’ personal information. It first defines the concept and classification of personal information, then analyzes the specific forms of illegal use of personal information. Through a comparative study of relevant laws and regulations domestically and internationally, it reveals the effectiveness and deficiencies of current criminal regulations in protecting personal information. The research finds that although China has made progress in personal information protection legislation, there are still significant shortcomings in defining criminal liability, clarifying the application of laws, and enforcing regulations. Based on this, the paper proposes several recommendations to improve criminal regulation, including clarifying the constitutive elements of crimes, strengthening law enforcement, enhancing public awareness, and promoting international cooperation, with the aim of providing theoretical support and practical guidance for further improving China’s legal system for personal information protection.