New rules for net mapping

BEIJING - Aiming to prevent state secrets from being disclosed and uncertified maps from being published online, an updated standard for Internet map servers would be implemented next month.

“The new standard issued by the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping, one year after the first standard was launched, requires all Internet map servers to keep servers storing map data inside the country and provide public Internet protocol addresses,” The China Daily reports.

As per the latest standard, the qualified online map servers must have no record of information leakage in any form in the past three years.he new regulation includes all maps downloaded or copied from the Internet onto cell phones and handheld computers.

It has been reported that by the end of December, the authorities would also crack down on unregistered or illegal Internet map servers and release the blacklist to the public.

Song Chaozhi, Deputy Director of the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping, said in a conference on Internet map services last week that there are two main problems existing in the field: one is publishing maps with wrong locations or information, and the other is leaking sensitive information involving State secrets on maps. (ANI)