Personal Protection Research Articles

Criminal Regulation of Illegal Use of Citizens’ Personal Information

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.

Cross-border data flow in China: Shifting from restriction to relaxation?

This article examines China's latest development in the governance of cross-border data flow. Under the general framework of Cyber Security Law, Data Security Law, and Personal Data Protection Law, China established its own regime of cross-border data flow. In recent years, contrary to the general international perception that China imposes strict restrictions especially due to national security concerns, China has been de facto relaxing its regulations on cross-border data flow, especially for digital trade. This article suggests three underlying incentives. First, China is in an increasing need to gain economic growth through international trade and investment. Second, China intends to compete in technology development and take the lead in shaping international rules on data governance. Third, China is seeking to adhere to international standards, particularly those prescribed in international free trade agreements. This article further submits that this paradigm shift would have international implications. First, China's practices need to be examined under the domestic regulatory frameworks of international free trade agreements. Second, China's current legislative and judicial practices are multifaceted, taking into account various factors, including international business, national security, and data protection, which may contribute to the further development of international cross-border data flow rules.

Prevalence of occupational injuries and associated factors among solid waste collectors in Jigjiga city, eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study design

BackgroundSolid waste collectors play an important role in maintaining health and hygiene in cities globally. The risk levels are very high in low-income countries since solid waste collectors have low socio-economic status and are exposed directly, unknowingly, and without adequate personal protection to municipal solid waste that contains hazardous materials. Solid waste collectors in Ethiopia are at high risk of occupational injuries due to the manual collection of hazardous solid waste by hand. In Jigjiga city, so far, there has been no study or published research showing the prevalence of occupational injuries and associated factors among municipal solid waste collectors.ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of occupational injuries and associated factors among solid waste collectors in Jigjiga City, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia, 2023.MethodsAn institutional cross-sectional study was conducted in Jigjiga City, Somali Regional State, involving 247 solid waste collectors. Data was collected through an observational and structured questionnaire and analyzed using Epi Info and STATA software programs. The study used systematic random sampling techniques and bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses to determine the statistical association between the outcome variable and independent variables. The significance of the association was tested using the 95% confidence interval and p value (<0.05).ResultsThe overall prevalence of occupational injuries was 54.7% (95% CI: 48.2%, 60.6%). Training on health and safety measures before employment [AOR: 0.43, 95% CI (0.24, 0.80)], sleeping problems [AOR: 3.28, 95% CI (1.86, 5.78)] and Temporary workers [AOR: 2.14, 95% CI (1.16, 3.95)] were significantly associated with occupational injuries.ConclusionThe prevalence rate of occupational injuries among solid waste collectors in Jigjiga City was high. There should be preventive measures, like giving Training on Health and safety before employment, to safeguard the health and safety conditions of the workers.

Indoor and ambient influences on PM2.5 exposure and well-being for a rail impacted community and implications for personal protections

Abstract Background
Higher air pollution concentrations can be observed near rail networks, local and highway automobile corridors, and shipyards. Communities adjacent to such sources are disproportionately exposed to air pollution from these stationary and mobile sources. One such community is West San Bernardino in California, where households are feet away from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe intermodal facility and are impacted by activities that are estimated to continuously emit air pollutants due to 24/7 operation.
Objective
This study aimed to (1) quantify the impact of personal mobility and housing characteristics on daily PM2.5 exposures and well-being for West San Bernardino community members, and (2) develop individualized resilience plans for community collaborators to support future PM2.5 exposure reduction. 
Methods
Personal PM2.5 exposures were measured for community collaborators for seven consecutive days during three deployment periods: October 2021, January 2022, and March 2022. Indoor and ambient PM2.5 levels were also continuously measured for five households over six months using PurpleAir Classic monitors. Demographic and well-being data were collected upon recruitment and after each week of engagement, respectively. 
Results
Personal exposures in home microenvironments were highest near the railyard and lower farthest away from the railyard. Home exposures were 40% higher on average compared to non-home microenvironments. Household PM2.5 had a higher-than-expected average infiltration factor of 0.55, and indoor 98th percentiles across the households far exceeded a healthy level at an average of 165 μg/m3. Resilience plans featured summaries of personal data and recommendations for mitigating exposures. 
Significance
Results suggest that surrounding land use and residential building characteristics compound to worsen air pollution exposures beyond what is expected for exposures in non-industrialized areas. Findings prompt a call for stronger regulation, not only for emissions, but also for indoor air quality and zoning standards that specifically protect disproportionately impacted communities.

Neurorights, Neurotechnologies and Personal Data: Review of the Challenges of Mental Autonomy

Objective: to present the results of a systematic review of research on the impact of neurotechnology on legal concepts and regulatory frameworks, addressing ethical and social issues related to the protection of individual rights, privacy and mental autonomy.Methods: The systematic literature review was based on the methodology proposed by a renowned British scholar, a professor emerita of computer science at Keele University Barbara Kitchenham, chosen for its flexibility and effectiveness in obtaining results for publication. Thorough searches were carried out with the search terms “neurotechnology”, “personal data”, “mental privacy”, “neuro-rights”, “neurotechnological interventions”, and “neurotechnological discrimination” on both English and Spanish sites, using search engines like Google Scholar and Redib as well as databases including Scielo, Dialnet, Redalyc, Lilacs, Scopus, Medline, and Pubmed. The focus of this research is bibliometric data and its design is non-experimental with a cross-sectional and descriptive, using content analysis based on PRISMA model.Results: the study emphasizes the need to establish clear ethical principles to protect individual rights and promote responsible use of neurotechnologies; a number of problems of mental autonomy were identified, such as improper handling of information, lack of legal security guarantees, violation of rights and freedoms in the medical sphere. The author shows the need to adapt the existing regulatory legal framework to address the ethical and social problems arising from the new neurotechnologies. It is noted that a broad study of neurotechnology issues will contribute to the protection of human rights.Scientific novelty: an expanded understanding of the five neurorights within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is proposed; neurorights are viewed as a new category of rights aimed at protecting mental integrity against the misuse of neurotechnologies. The author justifies the adoption of such technocratic principles as personal identity, free will, mental privacy, equal access and protection against bias.Practical significance: the obtained results are relevant for understanding modern legal concepts related to neurorights and for adapting the existing normative legal acts to solve ethical and social problems arising from the emergence of new technologies, protection of human neurorights and liability for their violation. The study of these issues is key for provision of further responsible development and use of neurotechnologies.

Using Artificial Intelligence in Employment: Problems and Prospects of Legal Regulation

Objective: to identify the legal problems of using artificial intelligence in hiring employees and the main directions of solving them.Methods: formal-legal analysis, comparative-legal analysis, legal forecasting, legal modeling, synthesis, induction, deduction.Results: a number of legal problems arising from the use of artificial intelligence in hiring were identified, among which are: protection of the applicant’s personal data, obtained with the use of artificial intelligence; discrimination and unjustified refusal to hire due to the bias of artificial intelligence algorithms; legal responsibility for the decision made by a generative algorithm during hiring. The author believes that for the optimal solution of these problems, it is necessary to look at the best practices of foreign countries, first of all, those which have adopted special laws on the regulation of artificial intelligence for hiring and developed guidelines for employers using generative algorithms for similar purposes. Also, the European Union’s and USA’s legislative work in the area of managing risks arising from the use of artificial intelligence should be taken into account.Scientific novelty: the article contains a comprehensive study of legal problems arising from the use of artificial intelligence in hiring and foreign experience in solving these problems, which allowed the author to develop recommendations to improve Russian legislation in this area. As for the problem of applicants’ personal data protection when using artificial intelligence for hiring, the author proposes to solve it by supplementing the labor legislation with norms that enshrine the requirements for transparency and consistency in the collection, processing and storage of information when using generative algorithms. The list and scope of personal data allowed for collection should be reflected in a special state standard. The solution to the problem of discrimination due to biased algorithms is seen in the mandatory certification and annual monitoring of artificial intelligence software for hiring, as well as the prohibition of scoring tools for evaluating applicants. The author adheres to the position that artificial intelligence cannot “decide the fate” of a job seeker: the responsibility for the decisions made by the algorithm is solely on the employer, including in cases of involving third parties for the selection of employees.Practical significance: the obtained results can be used to accelerate the development and adoption of legal norms, rules, tools and standards in the field of using artificial intelligence for hiring. The lack of adequate legal regulation in this area creates significant risks both for human rights and for the development of industries that use generative algorithms to hire employees.

Overcoming the Friction between the “Right to be Forgotten” and Blockchain Technology through a New Approach

Objective: this paper explores the challenges arising from the conflict between blockchain technology and the “right to be forgotten” as provided by the European data protection framework.Methods: in the First Section, the author provides a brief description of the evolution of blockchain technology and the most pressing issues between traditional blockchain models and UE’s legislations. Among the latter, the author analyzes the specific issue concerning the clash between the traditional blockchains (both private and public models), typically immutable, and the individual’s right to cancellation or modification of own personal data. This section emphasizes the importance of personal data protection, which has always been one of the main tasks for supranational legislators. The legal regulation of data protection and the relevant judicial practice of the European Court of Human Rights is analyzed. The author raises the problem of expressing the free self-determination of an individual in the form of controlling their personal data on the Internet. The Second Section of this contribution is dedicated to the study of probable ways to solve the existing incompatibility and to make the distributed ledger system compatible with the European data protection legislation. An emphasis is made on the model provided by “Traent” company, which ensures the right to data cancellation or modification. The capability of this model to solve the said contradiction is analyzed.Results: the study delves into the peculiar features of the new model to understand how it strategically utilizes the advantages of public and private blockchains guaranteeing not only the validity and authenticity of the chain where the transaction was performed, but, most importantly, the modification and granular cancellation of client’s personal data. This innovative solution offers a potential path forward for navigating the complex intersection of data privacy and blockchain innovation in the European context.Scientific novelty: Traent has implemented a “hybrid” model blockchain that, incorporating both public and private components, to achieve an effective compliance with the European Union regulations, especially those concerning data protection and privacy.Practical significance: the obtained conclusions and proposals can be taken into consideration in improving the compliance of blockchain technologies with the European Union General Data Protection Regulation.

Challenges Identifying Domestic Violence in Chinese Judicial Practice: An Empirical Analysis of Personal Safety Protection Orders.

Domestic violence is a global social issue that not only poses a significant threat to the stability of families but also has a profound impact on the physical and mental well-being of family members. In China, due to the broad criteria for defining domestic violence in the Anti-domestic Violence Law, challenges have arisen in the practical handling of domestic violence cases. The study is based on 238 civil protection order rulings available on the China Judgments Online website for the year 2021. In China, the criteria for identifying domestic violence are not only still subject to theoretical debate, but contentious viewpoints have also translated into inconsistencies in judicial practice. This study aims to further assess the underlying reasons for the difficulties in identifying domestic violence in Chinese judicial practice and to propose recommendations for improvement.

Transformative constitutionalism and the fault requirement of the common law of personality

This article examines the relationship between transformative constitutionalism, legal ideology, and the fault requirement in South Africa's common law of personality. It emphasises the need to balance individualistic and collectivist values in alignment with transformative constitutionalism's imperatives of personal development and social cohesion in the context of the law of personality. The ensuing analysis reveals that the current fault requirement, an exclusive reliance on intention-based liability, inadequately addresses the collectivist values crucial to transformative constitutionalism. This leads to an underappreciation of the complete constitutional social value of the human personality as a legally protected interest. The article advocates a solution within the transformative constitutionalism paradigm, proposing the horizontal application of fundamental rights and constitutional values. This approach facilitates the articulation of the comprehensive constitutional social value of the human personality, encompassing both individualistic and collectivist dimensions. In conclusion, the article calls for an adjustment of the framework of the common law of personality, recommending the introduction of negligence-based liability into the fault requirement of the actio iniuriarum. This adjustment aims to enhance the protection of the human personality while effectively balancing individualistic and collectivist values in line with constitutional imperatives.

Preventing Influenza Virus Infection and Severe Influenza Among Pregnant People and Infants.

The landscape of research on the benefits of influenza vaccines and antivirals to protect pregnant persons and infants has increased in recent years, while influenza vaccination rates and antiviral usage have declined. Pregnant people and infants <6 months of age are at increased risk of hospitalization with influenza, making protection of this population essential. Maternal influenza vaccination at any time during pregnancy is the best way to reduce the risk of influenza and severe influenza in both pregnant people and their infants <6 months of age. Influenza antiviral medications for pregnant people and infants are also recommended as early as possible if influenza is confirmed or suspected. This report will update on the current research on the benefits of influenza vaccination during pregnancy and influenza antiviral medication for the pregnant person and infant, current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations for influenza vaccination in pregnancy and vaccination coverage rates, current influenza antiviral medication guidance and usage rates in pregnancy and among infants, and future directions for influenza pregnancy research. With over half a century of maternal influenza vaccination in the United States, we have improved protection for pregnant persons and infants against influenza, but we still have room for improvement and optimization with new challenges to overcome following the COVID-19 pandemic. By continuing to fill research gaps and increase vaccination coverage and antiviral usage, there is potential for significant reductions in the domestic and global burden of influenza in pregnant persons and infants.

O IMPACTO DA INTELIGÊNCIA ARTIFICIAL NA SOCIEDADE DIANTE DA LEI GERAL DE PROTEÇÃO DE DADOS: A LIMITAÇÃO JURÍDICA DA INTELIGÊNCIA ARTIFICIAL DIANTE DA LEI Nº 13.709/18

This is a scientific article whose theme is the impact of artificial intelligence on society in light of the General Data Protection Law. The LGPD defines the liability of data processing agents, who are controllers and operators, for damages caused by the exercise of the processing activity, in a manner similar to the system of the Consumer Defense Code (CDC). By providing citizens with rights over their data, the LGPD also tends to increase public transparency regarding data collection and analysis. Thus, it will not be restricted to private companies; in the public sphere, the State will also have to be clearer about how it handles citizen data. The aforementioned law establishes rules for the storage, sharing, use, and collection of citizen data, whether by public or private companies. The article aims to demonstrate how the uncontrolled use of artificial intelligence affects society as a whole, such as the new personal data protection legislation, protecting users and democracy, as well as highlighting the main difficulties faced by companies in the process of adapting and complying with the LGDP standards and the legal limitations of Artificial Intelligence. As a theoretical basis, articles, conventions and laws that corroborate the Brazilian legal system were adopted. The methodology used was a descriptive and exploratory literature review.

Thin-slice structure enhanced hyperelastic composite foams for superb sound absorption and thermal insulation

With the ongoing advancement of society, the populace’s needs for goods are progressively evolving from essential to comfy. Within the construction sector, the demands for building materials with exceptional sound absorption and thermal insulation capabilities are becoming increasingly expected by consumers. Herein, the melamine foam (MF) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were combined through a facile dip-coating method. Benefitting from the unique three-dimensional porous structure and the folded pore walls caused by CMC, the composite foam with thin-slice structure exhibited a high sound absorption capacity with a noise reduction coefficient of 0.424 (thickness = 20mm). In particular, compared to the unmodified MF, the sound absorption performance of the composite foam was increased by approximately 94.3% at 500Hz and 211.2% at 1000Hz. Furthermore, it also demonstrated outstanding thermal insulation ability with low thermal conductivity of 0.0319W/mK and thermal diffusivity of 0.855 mm2/s. When placed on a heating platform of 145 °C, the temperature difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the composite foam reached an impressive 105.1 °C. Based on these advantages, this high-performance composite foam possesses great potential for applications in engineering, construction, noise reduction, and personal protection.

Perception and preparedness of physicians in public-sector hospitals of LMICs during the COVID-19 pandemic: a phenomenology-based qualitative study

Background: Amid such a global chaotic scenario generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians hold a significant frontline position in the health care system. The current study was designed to explore the perception and preparedness of physicians toward the COVID-19 pandemic and their patient assessment and management aspects. Methods: A total of 11 physicians were purposively interviewed. All the interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic content analysis. Results: Thematic content analysis yielded six major themes: familiarity with COVID-19, perceptions and attitudes toward COVID-19, preparedness for safety against COVID-19, case assessment, barriers to lifestyle, and psychological perspectives. Even in resource-limited settings with the scarcity of sufficient protective equipment and first-line medicines, the physicians provided patient care. They demonstrated intact self-esteem and better understanding and preparedness for COVID-19. Conclusions: The findings demand timely and adequate provision of personal protection equipment, availability of first-line medicines, as well as development and implementation of occupational health surveillance measures that ensure mental health well-being.

Legal Analysis of the Notary's Role in Protecting Client Personal Data

Notaries, empowered to create authentic deeds, require client personal data to perform their duties, making this information vulnerable to misuse if not properly secured. This paper examines the obligations of notaries in protecting client data under the Personal Data Protection Act No. 27 of 2022. Using doctrinal legal research methods, it explores data protection principles, the legal framework for client rights, and how these responsibilities align with notarial duties. Findings reveal that privacy is central to data protection, with the 2022 Act providing a legal foundation for notaries to safeguard client information, emphasizing the importance of maintaining confidentiality in all deed-related activities. The Personal Data Protection Act supports notaries’ roles as data controllers and processors, linking these duties with the authority granted under the Notary Position Act. The synergy between these laws ensures that clients' data rights are upheld, and notarial responsibilities are reinforced within the legal framework.

An Analysis of the Gap Between Data Protection Regulations and Privacy Rights Implementation in Indonesia

This paper analyzes the gap between data protection regulations and the implementation of the right to privacy in Indonesia from a juridical normative perspective. Despite the enactment of the Personal Data Protection (PDP) Law in 2022, significant challenges remain in ensuring the protection of personal data. These challenges include vague legal definitions, limited enforcement mechanisms, and insufficient provisions for regulating emerging digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data. Additionally, public awareness of privacy rights remains low, further exacerbating the ineffective implementation of the law. Through a comparative analysis with international frameworks like the GDPR, this paper highlights key areas for improvement in Indonesia's data protection landscape. Recommendations include establishing a centralized data protection authority, enhancing legal provisions for technological advancements, and increasing public engagement to ensure the effective protection of privacy rights in the digital age.

Assessing Indonesian MSMEs' Awareness of Personal Data Protection by PDP Law and ISO/IEC 27001:2013

Assessing Indonesian MSMEs' Awareness of Personal Data Protection by PDP Law and ISO/IEC 27001:2013

LEI GERAL DE PROTEÇÃO DE DADOS (LGPD) E O DIREITO DO TRABALHO

The general data protection law, as amended by Law No. 13,853 of 2019 and in force since September 2020, has brought about changes in the way companies handle data, but also has repercussions on labor law. This is because the primary focus of the law was on the protection and privacy of data subjects, who are mainly affected by the sharing of their private data. However, this also includes company employees themselves, and to what extent there is legitimacy in companies sharing this data. Therefore, this article aims to promote a legal study on the General Data Protection Law and its possible consequences for labor law and labor relations. To this end, the article seeks to present the main points addressed by the General Data Protection Law and to promote an analysis of how labor relations may be affected by the enactment of the General Data Protection Law. The methodology used was the literature reference, based on books and articles that deal with the subject. As conclusions, it can be said that it is therefore of utmost importance that there be a creation or amendment of the Code of Ethics and Conduct and the Internal Regulations of the Company, in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Data Protection Policy. In addition to a confidentiality and confidentiality agreement between the employer and the employee, and a means of communication that facilitates the exercise of the rights of the holders. Finally, adjustment of labor agreements with specific provisions on the LGPD. As well as investment in cybersecurity, both in the business context and in remote work.

Research on the Civil Public Interest Litigation System for Personal Information Protection in China

At the level of legislative norms, Article 70 of the Personal Information Protection Law includes the infringement of personal information rights and interests of a certain scale and quantity into the scope of regulation, establish a special system for civil society to protect personal information, and endows personal information with corresponding civil public interest protection. Among them, according to the law content, civil public interest litigation prosecution subject by the people's procuratorate, part of the legal consumer organizations and the national net letter determine the organization, but only the procuratorial organ to determine the subject, the rest of the organization has not yet had a clear definition of standard and qualification scope, and between the prosecution subject priority has not yet specific provisions, the prosecution subject qualification and order is not clear, this must be clear and supplement the primary content. Second, the scope of litigation accepting cases fuzzy boundary, it comes down to the conditions of prosecution standard lack of unity, for the number of the victims of size and specific number interval not set the corresponding ladder standard, causing the condition of "many" specific connotation of meaning, so that the trial practice is difficult to present clear scope of accepting cases. In addition, personal information is characterized by a wide range of coverage, high difficulty in screening, and large individual differences in classification attributes. These unique attributes in judicial practice, how to accurately that personal information damage after the specific compensation amount become one of the problems need to be careful, how to ensure timely forensics, evidence collection, the whole process of legal behavior and ensure that the collected evidence has a strong force for another problem, and the plaintiff in the reality claims contain damages are often difficult to get real implement. Finally, for the jurisdiction of the case principle does not consider the particularity of public interest litigation, public interest litigation is a special form of litigation, plus personal information infringement in today's big data era in the background of the main media, more present a "more scattered" cross distribution pattern, cross-regional jurisdiction become "normalized" phenomenon, but the existing regional jurisdiction and level jurisdiction is not enough to achieve efficient target, running some cases will appear unreasonable. For the above problems, based on the reasons behind the mining phenomenon, based on the judicial practice and existing related cases, put forward the improvement of targeted Personal Information Protection in Civil Public Interest Litigation System, the main direction for the following content: first, clear prosecution subject qualification scope and build a clear standard, and based on the further sequence the priority between the subject. Second, we should explore the path to expand the scope of civil public interest litigation for personal information protection, and further clarify the identification standards of prosecution conditions. Third, clarify the basis for determining the amount of compensation, introduce the punitive compensation mechanism, and set up the applicable criteria of regional jurisdiction in line with the characteristics of civil public interest litigation of personal information protection. At the same time, improve the cooperation mechanism with relevant departments, effectively enhance the cooperation strength to help personal information protection.

The Infringement of Deepfake Technology on Personal Privacy and Legal Protection: A Discussion Based on Article 1032 of the Civil Code

The rapid development of deepfake technology has infringed upon personal privacy in the form of the disclosure and misuse of personal information, infringement upon the peace of people's life, and damage to personal image and reputation. The disclosure and misuse of personal information should be analysed from the perspectives of personal use and commercial use of information data; infringement upon the peace of people's life should be examined from the perspectives of fraud and harassment, and malicious pursuit using deepfake technology; and damage to personal image and reputation should be discussed from the two levels of initial damage to personal image and reputation and aggravated damage to personal reputation after dissemination through the media. Article 1032 of the Civil Code clearly defines the scope of privacy protection as the peace of people's private life, private space, private activities and private information, as well as the infringement of privacy rights through means such as spying, intrusion, disclosure and publication, which reflects the legislative inertia to strengthen the protection of privacy and personal information. Article 1032 of the Civil Code, the Personal Information Protection Law, the Provisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet-based Information Services, and other laws and regulations together form the current personal privacy protection system. However, existing laws do not provide specific explanations for key terms such as 'leakage', 'intrusion' and 'damage', which leads to uncertainty in the application of the law and makes it difficult to effectively protect personal privacy in actual operations. At the same time, there is a lack of clear definitions of the scenarios and specific standards of behaviour that the technology may involve, which has exacerbated public concerns about personal privacy security. Strengthening legal protection against deepfake technology requires refining legal concepts and drawing on knowledge from comparative law: 'leakage' can be considered the illegal acquisition and dissemination of unauthorised data and information, 'intrusion' can be defined as behaviour that disrupts the normal order of others and causes mental distress, and 'damage' can be understood as behaviour that causes negative evaluation or loss to the image, reputation or property of others. The legislative department should take the lead and cooperate with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in formulating specific standards for evaluating behaviour. The deterrent effect of the law should be strengthened by refining relevant legal provisions in the Civil Code and the Personal Information Protection Law and increasing the penalties for violations of the law. This will better balance technological development and personal privacy protection and improve China's personal privacy protection system.

Analysis of the 24-h biting patterns and human exposures to malaria vectors in south-eastern Tanzania

BackgroundAfrotropical malaria vectors are generally believed to bite nocturnally, leading to the predominant use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), which target indoor, nighttime-biting mosquitoes. This focus is reinforced by biases in entomological surveys, which largely overlook daytime mosquito activity. However, recent evidence challenges this paradigm, showing that Anopheles biting can extend way into the daytime, coinciding with human activities at dawn, daytime and evenings, suggesting a broader risk spectrum and potential protection gaps. We have therefore investigated the diurnal and nocturnal biting patterns of the malaria vectors Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles funestus in south-eastern Tanzania, to better understand the scope of residual transmission and inform strategies for improved control.MethodsHost-seeking mosquitoes were collected hourly using miniaturized double net traps, both indoors and outdoors over 24-h periods between June 2023 and February 2024. Concurrently, human activities indoors and outdoors were monitored half-hourly to correlate with mosquito collections. A structured questionnaire was used to assess household members’ knowledge, perceptions and experiences regarding exposure to mosquito bites during both nighttime and daytime.ResultsNocturnal biting by An. arabiensis peaked between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. while that of An. funestus peaked later, between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. Daytime biting accounted for 15.03% of An. arabiensis catches, with peaks around 7–11 a.m. and after 4 p.m., and for 14.15% of An. funestus catches, peaking around mid-mornings, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Nighttime exposure to An. arabiensis was greater outdoors (54.5%), while daytime exposure was greater indoors (80.4%). For An. funestus, higher exposure was observed indoors, both at nighttime (57.1%) and daytime (69%). Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites were detected in both day-biting and night-biting An. arabiensis. Common daytime activities potentially exposing residents during peak biting hours included household chores, eating, sleeping (including due to sickness), resting in the shade or under verandas and playing (children). From evenings onwards, exposures coincided with resting, socializing before bedtime and playtime (children). Nearly all survey respondents (95.6%) reported experiencing daytime mosquito bites, but only 28% believed malaria was transmissible diurnally.ConclusionsThis study updates our understanding of malaria vector biting patterns in south-eastern Tanzania, revealing considerable additional risk in the mornings, daytime and evenings. Consequently, there may be more gaps in the protection provided by ITNs, which primarily target nocturnal mosquitoes, than previously thought. Complementary strategies are needed to holistically suppress vectors regardless of biting patterns (e.g. using larval source management) and to extend personal protection limits (e.g. using repellents). Additionally, community engagement and education on mosquito activity and protective measures could significantly reduce malaria transmission risk.Graphical