Personal Information Protection Law of the People's Republic of China

Updated: 2021-12-29

Article 26 Image collection and personal identification equipment in public places shall be installed only when it is necessary for the purpose of maintaining public security, and shall be installed in compliance with the relevant provisions of the state and with prominent reminders. The personal images and identification information collected can only be used for the purpose of maintaining public security and, unless the individuals' separate consents are obtained, shall not be used for any other purpose. 

Article 27 A personal information processor may reasonably process the personal information disclosed by an individual himself or other legally disclosed personal information, except where the individual expressly refuses. Where the processing of disclosed personal information may have a significant impact on an individual's rights and interests, the personal information processors shall first obtain the individual's consent in accordance with the provisions of this Law.

Section 2 

Rules on Processing Sensitive Personal Information 

Article 28 "Sensitive personal information" is personal information that once leaked or illegally used, may easily lead to the infringement of the personal dignity of a natural person or may endanger his personal safety or property, including information such as biometrics, religious belief, specific identity, medical health status, financial accounts, and the person's whereabouts, as well as the personal information of a minor under the age of 14 years.

Personal information processors can process sensitive personal information only when there is a specific purpose and when it is of necessity, under the circumstance where strict protective measures are taken.

Article 29 For the processing of sensitive personal information, individual's separate consent shall be obtained. Where other laws or administrative regulations provide that written consent shall be obtained for the processing of sensitive personal information, such provisions shall prevail.

Article 30 In addition to the matters specified in the first paragraph of Article 17 of this Law, a processor processing sensitive personal information shall notify an individual of the necessity of processing his sensitive personal information and the impact it has on his rights and interests, except where such notification is not required in accordance with the provisions of this Law.

Article 31 To process the personal information of minors under the age of 14, personal information processors shall obtain the consent of the parents or other guardians of the minors.

Personal information processors processing the personal information of minors under the age of 14 shall develop special rules for processing such personal information.

Article 32 Where other laws or administrative regulations provide that relevant administrative permit shall be obtained for the processing of sensitive personal information or impose other restrictions, such provisions shall prevail.

Section 3 

Special Provisions on the Processing of

Personal Information by State Organs 

Article 33 This Law shall apply to the processing of personal information by state organs; where there are special provisions in this Section, the provisions of this Section shall prevail.

Article 34 When state organs process personal information in order to perform their statutory duties, they shall act in accordance with the authority and procedures prescribed by laws and administrative regulations, and shall not exceed the scope and limits necessary to perform their statutory duties.

Article 35 When state organs process personal information in order to perform their statutory duties, they shall fulfill the obligation of notification in accordance with the provisions of this Law, except under the circumstances specified in the first paragraph of Article 18 of this Law or where notification will hinder the state organs from performing their statutory duties.

Article 36 Personal information processed by state organs shall be stored within the territory of the People's Republic of China. A security assessment shall be conducted where it is truly necessary to provide such information for any party outside of the territory of the People's Republic of China. In the security assessment the relevant departments shall provide support and assistance if so requested.

Article 37 Where organizations authorized by laws or regulations with the function of administering public affairs process personal information in order to fulfill their statutory duties, the provisions herein on the processing of personal information by state organs shall apply.

Chapter III

Rules on Provision of Personal Information Across Border 

Article 38 A personal information processor that truly needs to provide personal information for a party outside the territory of the People's Republic of China for business sake or other reasons, shall meet one of the following requirements:

(1) passing the security assessment organized by the national cyberspace department in accordance with Article 40 of this Law;

(2) obtaining personal information protection certification from the relevant specialized institution according to the provisions issued by the national cyberspace department;

(3) concluding a contract stipulating both parties' rights and obligations with the overseas recipient in accordance with the standard contract formulated by the national cyberspace department; and

(4) meeting other conditions set forth by laws and administrative regulations and by the national cyberspace department.

Where an international treaty or agreement that the People's Republic of China has concluded or acceded to stipulates conditions for providing personal information for a party outside the territory of the People's Republic of China, such stipulations may be followed.

The personal information processor shall take necessary measures to ensure that the personal information processing activities of the overseas recipient meet the personal information protection standards set forth in this Law.

Article 39 Where a personal information processor provides personal information for any party outside the territory of the People's Republic of China, the processor shall inform the individuals of the overseas recipient's name and contact information, the purposes and means of processing, the categories of personal information to be processed, as well as the methods and procedures for the individuals to exercise their rights as provided in this Law over the overseas recipient, etc., and shall obtain individual's separate consent. 

Article 40 Critical information infrastructure operators and the personal information processors that process personal information up to the amount prescribed by the national cyberspace department shall store domestically the personal information collected and generated within the territory of the People's Republic of China. Where it is truly necessary to provide the information for a party outside the territory of the People's Republic of China, the matter shall be subjected to security assessment organized by the national cyberspace department. Where laws, administrative regulations, or the provisions issued by the national cyberspace department provide that security assessment is not necessary, such provisions shall prevail.

Article 41 The competent authorities of the People's Republic of China shall handle foreign judicial or law enforcement authorities' requests for personal information stored within China in accordance with relevant laws and the international treaties and agreements concluded or acceded to by the People's Republic of China, or under the principle of equality and reciprocity. Without the approval of the competent authorities of the People's Republic of China, no organization or individual shall provide data stored in the territory of the People's Republic of China for any foreign judicial or law enforcement authority.

Article 42 Where overseas organizations or individuals engage in personal information processing activities, which infringe upon the rights and interests of citizens of the People's Republic of China on personal information or endanger the national security or public interests of the People's Republic of China, the national cyberspace department may include them in a list of restricted or prohibited recipients of personal information, publicize the list, and take measures such as restricting or prohibiting the provision of personal information for such organizations and individuals.

Article 43 Where any country or region adopts any prohibitive, restrictive or other similar discriminatory measures against the People's Republic of China in terms of personal information protection, the People's Republic of China may take countermeasures against the aforesaid country or region based on actual situations.

Chapter IV

Individuals' Rights in Personal Information Processing Activities

Article 44 Individuals shall have the right to be informed, the right to make decisions on the processing of their personal information, and the right to restrict or refuse the processing of their personal information by others, except as otherwise provided by laws or administrative regulations. 

Article 45 Individuals shall have the right to consult and duplicate their personal information from personal information processors, except under circumstances as set out in the first paragraph of Article 18 and Article 35 of this Law.

Where an individual requests the consultation or duplication of his personal information, the requested personal information processor shall provide such information in a timely manner.

Where an individual requests the transfer of his personal information to a designated personal information processor, which meets the requirements of national cyberspace department for transferring personal information , the requested personal information processor shall provide means for the transfer.

Article 46 Where an individual discovers that his personal information is incorrect or incomplete, he shall have the right to request the personal information processors to rectify or supplement relevant information.

Where an individual requests the rectification or supplementation of his personal information, the personal information processors shall verify the information in question, and make rectification or supplementation in a timely manner. 

Article 47 In any of the following circumstances, a personal information processor shall take the initiative to erase personal information, and an individual has the right to request the deletion of his personal information if the personal information processor fails to erase the information:

(1) the purposes of processing have been achieved or cannot be achieved, or such information is no longer necessary for achieving the purposes of processing;

(2) the personal information processor ceases to provide products or services, or the storage period has expired;

(3) the individual withdraws his consent;

(4) the personal information processor processes personal information in violation of laws, administrative regulations, or agreements; or

(5) other circumstances as provided by laws and administrative regulations.

Where the storage period provided by any law or administrative regulation has not expired, or it is difficult to erase personal information technically, the personal information processor shall cease the processing of personal information other than storing and taking necessary security protection measures for such information.

Article 48 An individuals has the right to request a personal information processor to interpret the personal information processing rules developed by the latter.

Article 49 The close relatives of a deceased natural person may, for their own legal and legitimate interests, exercise the rights to handle the personal information of the deceased, such as consultation, duplication, rectification, and deletion, as provided in this Chapter, except as otherwise arranged by the deceased before death.

Article 50 A personal information processor shall establish the mechanism for receiving and handling individuals' requests for exercising their rights. Where an individual's request is rejected, the reasons therefor shall be given.

Where an individual's request to exercise his rights is rejected by a personal information processor, the individual may file a lawsuit with the people's court in accordance with the law.

Chapter V

Obligations of Personal Information Processors 

Article 51 Personal information processors shall take the following measures to ensure that their personal information processing activities are in compliance with laws and administrative regulations based on the purpose and means of processing, the categories of personal information to be processed, the impact on personal rights and interests, and the potential security risks, among others, and shall prevent unauthorized access to, as well as breach, tampering or loss of any personal information:

(1) formulating internal management system and operational procedures;

(2) implementing classified management of personal information;

(3) adopting corresponding security technical measures such as encryption and de-identification;

(4) reasonably determining the operational authority of personal information processing, and regularly conducting safety education and training for practitioners;

(5) formulating contingent plans for personal information security emergencies and organizing the implementation of such plans; and

(6) other measures as provided by laws and administrative regulations. 

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