Global Times reports: Zhang Jun, president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), delivers a work report of the SPC at the second plenary meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2026. Photo: XinhuaChina's courts had concluded 9,326 cases involving crimes endangering cyber security over the past five years, an increase of 158.5 percent from the previous five-year period, according to a work report of the Supreme People's Court on Monday.The report, submitted to the national legislature's annual session for deliberation, also highlights cases of "doxxing," the illegal exposure of others' personal information, and using assisted-driving features while drunk, which sends a clear signal that new types of crimes will be strictly punished under the law, experts said.
The fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) held its second plenary meeting on Monday. Courts have also lawfully punished crimes such as online rumor-mongering, online pyramid schemes, and cyber violence. The report revealed that two young individuals who maliciously engaged in "doxxing" by illegally obtaining and disseminating other people's private information were convicted and sentenced in accordance with the law.
Background
According to case details released by CCTV News on Monday, the two individuals, a PhD student surnamed Zhao and a junior student named Cheng, dissatisfied with the popularity rankings of virtual idols, conspired with overseas individuals to illegally obtain the personal information of the voice actors for the two virtual idols. They created a group on an overseas social platform, publicly sharing the victims' movements and medical visits, which led to online harassment and offline stalking. Both victims later suffered from depression.
Key facts
- The fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) held its second plenary meeting on Monday.
- Courts have also lawfully punished crimes such as online rumor-mongering, online pyramid schemes, and cyber violence.
- They created a group on an overseas social platform, publicly sharing the victims' movements and medical visits, which led to online harassment and offline stalking.
What this means
The court in Beijing's Haidian district held that Zhao and Cheng committed the crime of illegally using information networks. Each was sentenced to one year and six months in prison and fined 10,000 yuan ($1,450).The work report also clarified that drivers who activate assisted-driving functions while under the influence still bear criminal liability, underscoring that technological applications must remain within the bounds of the law.Xie Yongjiang, Director of the Internet Governance and Law Research Center at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, told the Global Times on Monday that technology cannot shield people from legal responsibility.
A total of 40,000 cases involving crimes against minors were concluded in 2025, down 1.8 percent year on year. The courts also ordered 1,199 individuals to be banned from working in positions involving close contact with minors. As China intensifies its crackdown on telecom and online fraud, courts have also concluded 41,000 cases of telecom fraud involving 85,000 people, up 1.2 percent year on year.
Originally reported by Global Times. This story has been edited and re-presented by BRIC Team.
