(More) Important Developments In China's Privacy And Cyber Laws

China's privacy and cyber authorities have been busy in the last month enacting substantial enhancements and clarifications to data protection compliance obligations; and even more changes are expected before the end of 2020. Key highlights - and the key steps for local and international organisations to take - are as follows:

1. New national level laws: an enhanced right of the individual to personal data protection, including the right to bring personal civil claims for breach of data privacy, has been included in the new PRC Civil Code, and will take effect on 1 January 2021. It is expected that this will increase individuals' awareness of data privacy rights in China. This development is seen as a stepping stone towards the introduction of a first national-level, comprehensive personal data protection law in China, which is anticipated to be published before the end of 2020. These developments currently appear to be a consolidation and clarification of the