China’s hi-tech hub Shenzhen looks at legislation for digital economy, adopts data use law

City’s lawmakers reviewed 18 draft laws and regulations in areas like artificial intelligence, dispute resolution and surveillance cameras

Data use law will take effect in January and includes provisions limiting use of personal information by app developers

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Shenzhen has adopted a data use law to support the development of its digital economy. Photo: Martin Chan

Published: 8:00am, 10 Jul 2021Updated: 10:49pm, 10 Jul 2021

Hi-tech hub Shenzhen in southern China is reviewing legislation to support the development of its new economy and the use of digital technology in the city.

That includes a new law on data use that will take effect in January after it was adopted last week, the Shenzhen People’s Congress Standing Committee said on Tuesday.

It was one of 18 draft laws and regulations the legislative body said it reviewed last week, covering areas like data privacy, data security, artificial intelligence, dispute resolution and smart vehicles.

According to a report in state-run China Youth Daily, one regulation under review covers the use of surveillance cameras for public safety, including places where the systems cannot be installed, and the procedure and rights to get access to recordings and data.

The standing committee said in a statement that the new legislation had been drafted to promote Shenzhen as a pioneer for reform and development in the Greater Bay Area.

One regulation under review reportedly covers the use of video surveillance for public safety. Photo: AP

The city’s new data use law is the first of its kind to be drawn up by a local government in China and includes provisions limiting the use of personal data by app developers and prohibiting them from withholding services if consumers do not give consent to their personal data being used.

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