(Ecns.cn)--The YiKatong card used in Beijing's transportation system will not leak people's private information, but needs to be safely kept by its users, responded the Beijing Municipal Administration and Communication Company to worries over the card's privacy Monday.
An online complaint triggered public concern over whether people's private information could be divulged by the smart card.
On October 9, Li Tiejun, an engineer at the Beijing office of the software company Kingsoft, wrote on his Weibo saying that without even typing in a password, he could obtain his previous transportation information by inputting the 17 card numbers on the Beijing Municipal Administration and Communication Company's website.
Within 20 hours, Li's complaint had been forwarded more than 3,000 times, triggering public concern over whether people's private information could be leaked by the card. "I am afraid that people who know the number of my card can track me down and know where I am exactly," said an online user.
After Li's complaint many people tried to access the website, but failed. "Too many people using the website at the same time caused it to crash," said an employee of the website.
The card has no relation to privacy rights, for it is not issued under people's real names and only provides previous transportation information of the user, according to the information posted on the official website of the Beijing Municipal Administration and Communication Company.
The function to search for information of previous transportation and consumers online has been open for ten years, which is also a must for the card, said the company.
There are now more than 45 million YiKatong cards in use in Beijing. By swiping the card in front of a sensor, passengers can enjoy a 60% discount on public bus fares. Besides, it can also be used to buy goods in supermarkets, on long-distance bus lines, and expressway toll gates.
On whether to add the password service to the card, the company is still evaluating the feasibility and possible results.
