Cybersecurity and Data Protection in China
Rogier Creemers
Rogier Creemers is an Assistant Professor in the law and governance of China at Leiden University. With a background in Chinese studies, international politics and law, he mainly focuses on the Chinese government’s increasing use of technology in domestic governance processes, as well as China’s role in global cyberspace.
- Recording: Yes
- Language: English, Dutch
- Duration: 45 min / 15 min
Session Summary
In China as elsewhere in the world, cybersecurity and data protection have become major topics of concern as daily life continues to digitize. Over the past few years, the Chinese government has issued a series of new laws, regulations and policies to counter the risks resulting from advancing technological adoption. These are often both more interventionist and innovative than initiatives in other countries, and will likely have a significant impact on the future development of digital regulation around the globe. This lecture will review how the Chinese government looks at cybersecurity, the specific steps that they have taken and how they combine to create a new model for governing the digital realm.
Interaction
During the expert session, Rogier Creemers engages the audience through a Q&A session, live demonstrations of the Mentimeter app for interactive exercises, and discussions on China's economic shifts and their global impact. He explores topics such as data protection in China, regulatory challenges for foreign businesses, and emerging technologies like blockchain. The Mentimeter app facilitates audience interaction, allowing participants to ask questions and contribute to the conversation.
Key Learnings
- Grasping China's Data Security Landscape: Understanding China's unique data security regulations, including self-classification for organizations and the role of government involvement, is essential for businesses seeking to enter or expand in the Chinese market.
- Navigating the Economic Shift in China: As China moves from a growth-at-all-costs model to one focusing on quality development and self-sufficiency, foreign companies must adapt by contributing to China's goals and demonstrating value beyond economic efficiency.
- Staying Informed on Global Economic Trends: Keeping up with China's evolving economy, its focus on becoming autonomous, and its role in shaping the global digital landscape is crucial for businesses aiming to remain competitive and responsive to changing market dynamics.
Detailed session description
In this expert session, Rogier Creemers delves into the intricacies of cybersecurity and data protection in China, with a specific focus on the financial sector. He begins by underlining the significance of safeguarding personal information, emphasizing the European approach, which centers around protecting individuals' data, and contrasting it with the Chinese approach that encompasses both personal information protection and data security.
The discussion then transitions to the collection and potential risks associated with data from smart vehicles, particularly in China, and the concerns surrounding Tesla cars. Creemers also touches upon China's growing dependence on technology for economic growth and the increasing role of the Chinese government in interacting with its citizens digitally. He acknowledges a question about Chinese smart vehicles in Europe, noting the EU's lack of significant concerns compared to China's proactive risk identification.
Creemers then delves deeper into China's cybersecurity landscape, explaining its multi-layered protection system that requires self-classification based on importance, with higher-tier organizations facing stricter compliance requirements. He highlights the challenges and opportunities presented by China's regulatory environment for businesses operating within or seeking to enter the Chinese market.
China's Data Security Law also comes under discussion, as it sets stringent regulations on data use and potential national security risks. This legislation creates hurdles for companies wanting to import data from China or process data related to Chinese nationals, leading to increased compliance burdens and business model restrictions. Creemers shares insights into sector-specific impacts, using examples such as smart vehicles and emerging technologies like blockchain.
He also speaks about China's focus on becoming autonomous and the potential implications for Western economies. While economic efficiency was once the primary concern, security and resilience are now increasingly important. This shift could result in less efficiency and a potential welfare hit as countries adapt to this new reality.
Other Sessions by this Speaker
China and the Social Credit System
What are the consequences of China’s rapid growth in technology? Western news media are full of panic stories about Huawei, the social credit system, surveillance, artificial intelligence and big data, that China is supposed to use to build an Orwellian control society. This session examines whether this fear is justified, it explains the Chinese technology agenda and shows what the impact will be on Europe.
Chimerica - the Complex Entanglement between Beijing and Washington
The relationship between China and the United States is, without doubt, the most important axis between two countries in today’s world. This session will discuss how we got to where we are in the relationship today, and what can be expected of the future. We will discuss where the relationship might evolve from now, particularly with regard to contentious issues such as the status of Taiwan, the global digital landscape, and the likelihood of a new Cold War starting.
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