Why China's draft cybersecurity law has chilling implications for the internet and multinationals
Proposed legislation steps up data protections as well as government controls online
China's top legislature has published a draft cybersecurity law that would cement government control over the internet and data, rules analysts said could further limit online debate and affect multinational companies doing business in China.
The 68-article law was drafted to "safeguard cyberspace sovereignty and national security" from the threat of cyberattack, cybercrime and the spread of "harmful" information online, according to a statement by the National People's Congress.
The full text of the draft, which had its first reading at an NPC Standing Committee session last month, was posted on the legislature's website on Monday for public consultation.
It steps up privacy protections for users' data to prevent it being stolen, leaked or used illegally. But it also beefs up the government's power to obtain records of the dissemination of information deemed illegal.
It also grants the government the right to restrict internet access in places where public security is threatened.
It does not refer to Hong Kong or Macau.