Free Republic

China has passed a sweeping data protection law that is set to impose strict control measures on the private sector’s handling of personal data, building on an already expansive crackdown on the country’s tech sector that has rattled global stock markets.The personal information protection law, passed through the Chinese Communist Party’s ceremonial legislature on Aug. 20, will require organizations and individuals to have a clear and reasonable purpose to “collect, use, process, transfer, trade, provide, or publicize other people’s personal information,” according to the text released by the National People’s Congress. It also requires companies to obtain individuals’ consent before...

In response to the Brussels terror attacks, the German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière called on Tuesday evening for stronger European cooperation on exchanging personal data. “Data protection is all well and good, but in times of crisis security comes first,” de Maizière told public broadcaster ARD. “The external borders of the Schengen zone have too many gaps in them. We need a register which shows who’s coming in and who’s leaving.” The minister also called for joining up the various “data pots” which security services in EU member states compile. “Europe as a whole is threatened and we need...

EXCLUSIVE: The European Commission is finalizing a strategy on cloud computing aimed at promoting the use of off-site data storage in a bid to cut information technology costs and create new jobs, according to a draft paper seen by EurActiv. In a comprehensive communication, Brussels is planning to address several aspects of the cloud computing regulatory framework to encourage its use by companies and public administrations. “In particular, cloud computing is raising specific issues related to data protection and data retention, applicable law and liability and consumer protection,” reads an internal note seen by EurActiv. “The aspects of interoperability, standardization...