(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-12 20:49

SHENZHEN - Authorities have started to investigate a case where the information of more than 40,000 pregnant women was revealed to baby product companies in south China.

Local media reported some baby product companies had been offered the chance to buy disks containing the information of the pregnant women who were expected to give birth between March and August in Shenzhen in the southern Guangdong Province.

The information included the names, ages, family address, contacts, hospitals and expected dates of childbirth. The database was managed by Shenzhen Health Bureau and was shared among more than 70 hospitals in an effort to follow their health situation.

The sellers charged 12,000 yuan (US$ 1,700) for each disk and promised to update the data monthly, according to the report.

Some women had received phone calls or text messages from companies of milk, souvenir photos and women's health, it said.

Officials from Shenzhen public security, health and family planning bureaus had formed an inspection team.

"An investigation has started within the bureau. We cannot evade the responsibility as we developed and managed the information system," said Jiang Hanping, bureau director.

"Anyone found responsible will be punished," he said.