China to enshrine digital privacy rights as part of civil code

The change is designed to place safeguards on the movement of personal data

Legislation in China’s first civil code is expected to codify an individual’s right to privacy and to have their personal information protected, says Reuters. The law is being deliberated at the delayed annual meeting of parliament and is seen as an effort to ‘protect and legitimize the country’s fast-growing internet sector’, reports the website. Although the legislation will provide no protection against state surveillance, legal experts say the recognition of digital privacy rights is ‘an important first step’ as the country becomes increasingly digitised and vulnerable to leaks and hacks. Read more.