Summary of the Key Points
The crazy behavior of fans surrounding stars' flights may seem irrational on the surface, but it actually reveals a channel for the leakage of star information that extends from within airlines to organized crime. Personal details such as flight schedules, ID numbers, and hotel accommodations are sold for a profit, which not only violates citizens' privacy but also endangers public safety. To address this issue, we can't just blame the fans; we need to target the source of the information leakage—both the internal vulnerabilities and the criminal networks involved.
How Does Star Flight Information Get Leaked?
The process starts with insiders who abuse their access:
- Insiders First: Employees with access to flight information, such as airline customer service or ground staff, steal this data for personal gain. For example, in a case ruled on by the Chaoyang Court in 2022, two airline customer service representatives were convicted of selling star information and sentenced to three years in prison, along with a three-year ban from working in the aviation industry; the fans who purchased the information also received criminal charges.
- Criminal Networks Take Over: Once the internal information makes its way into the black market, it is packaged and sold, ranging in price from a few yuan to several dozen yuan per piece. Some even use the purchased ID numbers to check flight schedules directly on airline websites, exploiting security loopholes. In another case disclosed by the Chaoyang Procuratorate in 2024, a 22-year-old fan was convicted of selling flight information and sentenced to seven months in prison; this was already the third case of its kind.
This illegal network is low-cost and profitable, so as soon as a star's travel plans are confirmed, they quickly spread among fans.
Is Leaking Flight Information Illegal? The Consequences Are More Serious Than You Think
Selling star information is not just a form of entertainment gossip; it's a serious crime:
- Legal Classification: Flight schedules are considered "sensitive personal information" that can be used to locate individuals and potentially harm them. The protection of such data is stricter than for ordinary information. According to the Criminal Law, the maximum penalty for infringing on citizens' personal information is seven years in prison.
- Case Examples: Both the airline employees who sell the information and the fans who purchase it cannot escape prosecution. For instance, the customer service representatives mentioned earlier were convicted together with the fans. Another notable case involved the leakage of information about a performer from the Deyun Society in 2019, which was cited by the Ministry of Public Security as a serious example.
Why Is Star Privacy Always Invaded?
There are three main reasons behind this:
- Public Perception: Fans believe that stars, being public figures, should have their movements made public, and surrounding them is seen as a normal part of fan behavior.
- Criminal Profit: Sellers often think they are just making a small profit without realizing it's a crime.
- Fan Teams' Tactics: Some idol teams deliberately release travel information to maintain popularity by creating topics around airport pick-ups and shared appearances. In more extreme cases, if the team organizes the fan gatherings, it could be using the safety of multiple people for traffic generation—this is not only unethical but also potentially violates public order, leading to legal consequences.
Blaming Fans Alone Isn't Enough; We Need to Address the Root Causes
Current measures (such as issuing warnings, dissuading fans, and creating no-fly lists) are only temporary solutions. What's needed is:
- Cracking Down on Insiders: Identifying and punishing those who sell the information, especially airline employees, with appropriate legal consequences.
- Restricting Access: Airlines should limit employee access to passenger data so that not anyone can easily obtain star travel details.
- Eliminating Criminal Networks: Shutting down groups and platforms that trade star information to prevent further leaks.
After all, stars are citizens with the same rights to privacy as everyone else. Flight safety is a matter for all of us, and we can't allow information leakage to become the norm.
To Conclude
Fan culture is fine, but it must not cross legal boundaries or endanger public safety. To truly address this issue, we need to eliminate the source of the information leaks. Without the ability to sell such information, fans won't be able to track stars' movements, and without the market for it, there will be no harm.