China's controversial cybersecurity law comes into effect
BEIJING: China 's controversial cybersecurity law, which requires international firms to store critical data within the country, has come into effect from today amid complaints from foreign businesses. The Cybersecurity Administration, the government body responsible for overseeing it, said a grace period of 19 months would be given for businesses to comply with cross- border data transfer regulations. The period starts on June 1 and continues until the end of the next year, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. Online service users will now have rights to ask service providers to delete their information if such information is abused. The Cybersecurity management staff must also protect information obtained, and are banned from leaking or selling the information, including privacy and commercial secrets. Those who violate the provisions and infringe on personal information will face hefty fines. The law, passed by China's rubber-stamp parliament in Nove...