Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL)
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The Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) is China's first comprehensive law specifically regulating personal information protection. It establishes strict requirements for collecting, processing, and transferring personal information.
Key Facts
- Effective since November 1, 2021
- Enforced by Cyberspace Administration of China
- Applies to processing of PI within China and overseas processing targeting Chinese individuals
PIPL Rules
Extraterritorial Scope
PIPL applies to processing of personal information of individuals in China, regardless of the processor's location.
Requirements
- Establish China presence or representative
- Register with authorities
- Maintain compliance documentation
- Submit to regulatory oversight
- Implement local data storage
Examples
- Local representative appointment
- CAC registration process
- Cross-border compliance measures
- Data localization implementation
Processing Principles
Core principles governing the processing of personal information under PIPL.
Requirements
- Lawfulness and fairness
- Purpose specification
- Data minimization
- Transparency
- Accuracy and quality
Examples
- Clear privacy notices
- Purpose limitation policies
- Data retention schedules
- Quality control measures
Individual Rights
Rights granted to individuals regarding their personal information.
Requirements
- Right to know and decide
- Right to access and copy
- Right to portability
- Right to correction
- Right to deletion
Examples
- Rights request procedures
- Access request forms
- Correction mechanisms
- Deletion protocols
Compliance Requirements
Data Localization Requirements
Organizations must store personal information collected in China within mainland China.
Implementation Steps
- Assess data storage locations
- Implement local storage solutions
- Document data flows
- Obtain necessary approvals
- Monitor compliance
Required Documentation
- Data mapping records
- Storage location inventory
- CAC approvals
- Cross-border assessments
- Compliance reports
Consent Management
Obtain and manage separate consent for specific processing activities.
Implementation Steps
- Implement consent mechanisms
- Create consent records
- Enable consent withdrawal
- Update privacy notices
- Train staff on requirements
Required Documentation
- Consent forms
- Consent records
- Privacy policies
- Training materials
- Process documentation
Security Protection Obligations
Implement comprehensive security measures to protect personal information.
Implementation Steps
- Conduct security assessments
- Implement technical measures
- Establish management systems
- Regular security testing
- Incident response planning
Required Documentation
- Security policies
- Assessment reports
- Test results
- Incident response plans
- Audit logs
Enforcement & Penalties
Administrative Penalties
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) can impose significant penalties for PIPL violations.
Penalty Categories
Example Cases
Criminal Penalties
Serious violations may result in criminal prosecution.