Beijing will require courier companies to regularly destroy consumers’ personal information, according to Southern Metropolis Daily.?

Beijing Municipal Government Legislative Affairs Office released for public comment a draft of Beijing courier service specification and security management. Express delivery companies will be required to regularly destroy customers’ personal information. The public comment period will end on March 12.

Consumer names, telephone numbers and home addresses have been leaked and sold openly online, and some have even established illegal websites trading delivery order numbers, with the lowest going price of 0.4yuan ($0.064).

According to the draft, express delivery companies should establish an electronic data file management system for billing. Any billing receipts past the exchange and refund period is to be destroyed.

In addition, postal administrations should establish a courier services regulatory information platform, which should comply with the Beijing corporate credit information system.

Transportation of freight courier service companies in violation of the provisions banning the  sorting of packages in open space would be liable to fines of 2,000yuan ($320.8). Any company applying for a courier business license must have at least one standard disposal site. Transportation of the goods must be done in closed vehicles.

Any goods except letters should be checked before delivery. They won’t be delivered if the customer refuses the checks. Express cargo spaces should also be equipped in accordance with the rules in line with national standards, and safety inspections should be conducted by qualified personnel.