Internet users will no longer have to give their resident registration numbers when they sign up to services of portals, online-shopping or gaming websites from September. The long overdue measure aims to stem the leakage of sensitive personal information online.

The Ministry of Public Administration and Security on Monday issued a preliminary notice on a draft enforcement ordinance to the private information protection law.

Under the enforcement ordinance, which does not require parliamentary approval, the operators of websites with an average of more than 10,000 visitors a day over three months must let subscribers use identification methods other than resident registration numbers.

The ordinance is expected to be promulgated in September after review and consultation among government agencies and public hearings.