Revised Chinese Consumer Rights And Interests Protection Law Takes Effect

A number of newly added provisions in the revised Consumer Rights and Interests Protection Law (source document in Chinese) came into force on March 15, 2014, in the People's Republic of China. Business operators now face heavier obligations to protect the personal information of the consumer, including the obligations to (i) inform the consumer of the purpose, method, and scope of the collection of personal information and to seek consent from the consumer before collection; (ii) publish internal rules with respect to the collection and use of the consumer's personal information; and (iii) take necessary measures to protect the consumer's personal information and not to disclose, sell, or provide that information to third parties.