The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said it was considering waiving data export security assessments for activities such as international trade, academic cooperation, cross-border manufacturing and marketing that do not contain personal information or important data
Beijing:
China on Thursday proposed additional terms concerning laws governing the transfer of data abroad, clarifying that certain types of information may not need to undergo security checks in a move likely to bring relief to affected companies.
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said it was considering waiving data export security assessments for activities such as international trade, academic cooperation, cross-border manufacturing and marketing that do not contain personal information or important data.
It also intends to cancel the need for data export security assessments in certain circumstances, including ones involving cross-border shopping, hotel reservation or visa processing activities that require personal information to be transferred abroad, and also for employment purposes.
China’s tightening data laws have vexed several companies over their lack of clarity and long processes, leaving them worried they may step over the line. A European Commission official said last week that European businesses were particularly concerned.
In March, Reuters reported that Chinese regulators eased some deadline pressure on multinational companies struggling to comply with new rules requiring them to seek approval to export user data as the extensive disclosures made the target date unattainable for many. The proposed rules are open to the public for comment until October 15, it added.