Publications | 11 November 2016

China passes controversial Cyber Security Law

China’s Cyber Security Law, which will take effect from 1 June, 2017 was finally adopted on 7 November. The third draft of the law adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s highest legislative authority, contained few changes from the second draft put forward for comment in July, 2016 (see our briefing). The net result is ongoing controversy coupled with uncertainty, with multi-national businesses in particular questioning the intent behind the law and criticising its vagueness. The final draft contains a number of broadly-framed defined terms that are critical to its interpretation which continue to leave much to be resolved through detailed measures that may or may not follow. All in all, the direction of travel is towards a much more heavily regulated Chinese internet and technology sector, with an open question as to whether China's cyber space will be truly integrated with the rest of the world in the coming years.

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