New China privacy law to be ‘major’ force globally

BANGKOK: China’s new law aimed at protecting the data privacy of online users takes effect on Monday, as growing complaints about online fraud and abuse of personal information increase pressure on authorities to improve safeguards.

The Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) introduces perhaps the most stringent requirements and protections in the world, experts say, and could prompt other Asian nations to adopt similar regulations.

More than half the countries in the Asia-Pacific region have some form of legislation related to data protection and privacy, but more than one in four lack any regulation, according to the United Nations’ trade agency (UNCTAD).