Personal information not always private

ASKED ABOUT THE LISTS OF LOCAL FAMILIES that receive the minimum living standard allowances, some local civil affair departments in South China's Guangdong province reportedly said that such lists could not be disclosed because they contain the private information of residents. Comments:

In reality, the main reason why some civil affairs authorities are reluctant to disclose information about those receiving the allowances is the lack of motivation and a mechanism that clearly defines their due responsibilities. Stricter institutional supervision and management should make disclosure of the beneficiaries a routine practice.

People's Daily, July 30