China eyes steeper cybersecurity fines to intimidate offenders as Big Tech firms fall in line
China eyes steeper cybersecurity fines to intimidate offenders as Big Tech firms fall in line

China eyes steeper cybersecurity fines to intimidate offenders as Big Tech firms fall in line

Proposed amendments to China’s Cybersecurity Law raise the maximum fine for certain offences to 50 million yuan, up from 1 million yuan

China’s internet watchdog has proposed a series of amendments to the country’s five-year-old Cybersecurity Law. Photo: Reuters

China’s internet watchdog has proposed a series of amendments to the country’s five-year-old Cybersecurity Law, giving the rules more teeth as the regulator seeks to shore up law enforcement.

Under the update, a range of offences – including when a network operator fails its duty to protect cybersecurity by stopping the spread of illegal information – will be met with a fine of up to 50 million yuan (US$7.17 million) or 5 per cent of the firm’s turnover in the previous year, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said on Wednesday.

At present, the penalties are capped at 1 million yuan.

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