China solicits opinions on security assessment of cross-border transfer of personal information

BEIJING -- The Cyberspace Administration of China on Thursday started to solicit opinions from the public on the draft methods regarding the security assessment of cross-border transfer of personal information.

The evaluation targets the country's internet operators who provide overseas recipients with personal information collected in their operation in China, which includes natural persons' names, dates of birth, identity card numbers and other important data, according to the draft methods.

If the security evaluation finds that a cross-border transfer of personal information might impact national security, damage public interests or cannot guarantee the safety of the personal information, the transfer will be suspended, the draft methods read.

The draft stipulates that before making cross-border transfer of personal information, internet operators should declare security evaluation to their respective provincial-level cyberspace administrations.