The draft Social Assistance Law was submitted for a second review at the meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on February 25. The second draft further strengthens provisions regarding the protection of personal privacy and personal information: a provision has been added to the General Provisions clarifying that social assistance work shall protect personal privacy and personal information in accordance with the law. At the same time, in accordance with the principle of “necessity,” the information required to be reported when applying for social assistance is limited to “circumstances relevant to the application for social assistance”; provisions regarding legal liability for the disclosure of personal privacy or personal information have also been added. (Xinhua News Agency)