On Monday November 7th China has approved a new law on security on the internet.

The new rules, which were approved by Parliament and will come into force next summer, are part of a larger program that will redefine the use of internet in the Country.

Government officials say the rules will aim to stop cyber attacks and prevent acts of terrorism; however, no shortage of criticism of those who say that the new legislation will erode the online freedom in China. Above all there is concern that some parts of the law - such as those that provide tighter security checks on companies operating in sectors such as finance and communications, and compulsory storage of computer data - can make international relations between companies more difficult.

James Zimmerman, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, expressed strong concerns about it, declaring that the new regulations have no objective security purposes but it will only create obstacles for companies operating in sectors in which international data sharing is vital, adding that with the creation of such restrictions China is likely to isolate themselves from the rest of the world technologically.

It must be emphasized that most of the reform provisions are in fact already in place, although not yet codified, while other sections are written in a generic way so that the government will table further legislative measures.

As we said, the content of the reform is in many respects vague and general, and at the moment only a few basics principles can be drawn up: companies shall have to enforce government censorship, and it will be higher controls on navigation data; in general, censorship will be extended to all types of content deemed obscene or subversive.

No doubt the entry into force of new regulations (including the detailed legislation currently missing) will provide a new test for foreign companies operating in China, that already have to deal on a daily basis with the problem of the "Big Fire Wall ".

For more information: asiandesk@blblex.it