China agreed to more than 90 percent of data exports by 2024, the top of the country internet controller said.
The less than 10 percent blocked were considered unnecessary or did not meet security standards, according to the update from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).
“Most projects failed the assessment mainly because the data processors did not obtain the necessary consent from individuals as required by law, with the exception of a few that did not pass due to a lack of enough to export important data or security risks,” Wang Qi, deputy director of the CAC's network data management bureau, said Tuesday.
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This is the first report from the CAC since then reduce regulations on cross-border data flows in March, including security review exemptions for certain information exports.
Businesses are also not required to submit information about cross-border e-commerce, shipping, payments or visa processing for official security checks, a step it has reportedly eased. operational concerns among foreign companies in China.
The easier rules also apply to activity-related data including opening bank accounts and booking flights or hotels.
The CAC has endeavored to facilitate global exchanges and sharing of capital, information, technology, talent, goods and other resources.
However, transfers must still go through a security assessment if they relate to critical information infrastructure, include non-sensitive personal information of more than a million people within a year, or take a -in “sensitive information” of more than 10,000 people.
“Data security management that leaves the country is limited to important data and personal information, which does not apply to all data,” Wang said at a press conference held by the National Data Administration. (NDA) in Beijing.
Even important data could be released if it is not seen as a threat to national security or is in the public interest, he said.
Established in October 2023, the NDA affirms China's goals of developing the digital economy and strengthen the management of its large data collection. Beijing said at the time that the new organization would take over many responsibilities from the CAC, the country's summit a watchdog that oversees web governance.
Wang said that in order to send personal information abroad, processors may choose to apply for an external data transfer security assessment, obtain a personal information protection certificate, or sign a contract with overseas recipients.
General data that did not include important data or personal information could flow freely across borders, he stressed.
The CAC conducted 285 security assessment projects and registered 1,071 contracts since December, with 27 applications failing security assessment, according to Wang.
The processing time for online applications has been reduced to less than 30 working days after submission by the relevant company, from 45 days previously, he noted.
Wang also said that the pilot free trade zones of Beijing and Tianjin had created a “negative list” for data transfer. Businesses not on the list are open to investment by all businesses, without the need for government approval.
This had reduced data transfer in sectors including automotive, pharmaceuticals, civil aviation and retail, he said, with other administrations also speeding up the creation of similar exclusion lists.
At the same time, major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hangzhou have established outbound data service centers and service platforms to offer guidance to companies.
“The administration will continue to improve data export management, promote efficient, convenient and secure cross-border data flows, as well as support the healthy and sustainable development of the digital economy,” he said. .
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