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Due in 60 days12Regulations190

12 due in 60 days · 190 regulations

China Cybersecurity Law

Amended China · In force Jun 1, 2017 · no upcoming deadlines

Official text
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Deadlines

Takes effectJan 1 · 10 months ago · Source
2025 amendments take effectHigher fines, first-violation fines, AI governance provisions and PIPL-alignment duties apply under the 28 Oct 2025 NPCSC Decision.
Takes effectJun 1, 2017 · 9.4 years ago · Source
Cybersecurity Law takes effectOriginal CSL obligations for network operators and CII operators apply.

Summaries for reference, not legal advice. Check the official text.

What it does

China's base cybersecurity statute: multi-level protection scheme duties for network operators, localization and security review duties for critical information infrastructure (CII) operators, and content controls. The 2025 amendment, in force from 1 January 2026, adds AI governance support, ties PI processing to PIPL, allows fines on first violations and sharply raises maximum fines.

Who it applies to
All network operators in China (owners, managers and service providers of networks); stricter duties for CII operators. Amended Art. 77 allows sanctions such as asset freezes on foreign organizations whose activities endanger China's cybersecurity.
Penalties
Post-amendment (Art. 61): network operators RMB 10,000-50,000 on a first violation, RMB 50,000-500,000 for refusal to correct; CII operators RMB 50,000-100,000 rising to RMB 100,000-1 million. Serious harm (e.g. large data leaks): RMB 500,000-2 million; particularly serious harm: RMB 2-10 million, with responsible individuals fined up to RMB 1 million. Using unreviewed network products in CII: 1-10x the purchase amount.
Enforced by
CAC, Ministry of Public Security, MIIT and sector regulators
Official name
Cybersecurity Law of the People's Republic of China (as amended by the NPC Standing Committee Decision of 28 October 2025)
Citation
Order of the President No. 53 (2016); amended by Decision of the 14th NPC Standing Committee, 18th session, 28 Oct 2025
Topics
Cybersecurity, Data residency, AI, Privacy
Verified 2026-09-22
Research notes

Amendment adopted 2025-10-28 and effective 2026-01-01, per the official Decision text on gov.cn. The original 2016 enactment date comes from the 2016 promulgation, not re-verified here.

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Questions about China Cybersecurity Law
What are the China Cybersecurity Law compliance deadlines?
Jun 1, 2017: Cybersecurity Law takes effect. Jan 1, 2026: 2025 amendments take effect.
When does China Cybersecurity Law take effect?
China Cybersecurity Law took effect on Jun 1, 2017.
Who does China Cybersecurity Law apply to?
All network operators in China (owners, managers and service providers of networks); stricter duties for CII operators. Amended Art. 77 allows sanctions such as asset freezes on foreign organizations whose activities endanger China's cybersecurity.
What are the penalties under China Cybersecurity Law?
Post-amendment (Art. 61): network operators RMB 10,000-50,000 on a first violation, RMB 50,000-500,000 for refusal to correct; CII operators RMB 50,000-100,000 rising to RMB 100,000-1 million. Serious harm (e.g. large data leaks): RMB 500,000-2 million; particularly serious harm: RMB 2-10 million, with responsible individuals fined up to RMB 1 million. Using unreviewed network products in CII: 1-10x the purchase amount.