Overview & Analysis
The Personal Information Protection Law of the People's Republic of China (PIPL) is a landmark piece of legislation aimed at safeguarding the personal information rights of individuals, regulating personal information processing activities, and promoting the reasonable use of personal information. The law establishes principles for the legality, fairness, and necessity of personal information processing and outlines the fundamental rights of individuals, including the rights to be informed, consent, access, and delete their personal information.
Personal information processors must ensure the security of the data they handle, preventing leakage, misuse, or unauthorized access. The law imposes strict compliance requirements for the processing of sensitive information and cross-border data transfers, requiring companies to define responsibilities and ensure compliance with national standards. Violations of the law are subject to severe penalties.
In the AI context, the PIPL is crucial for all AI applications that involve personal data. AI projects often rely on large volumes of personal data to train and optimize models, and especially in the context of cross-border data flows and the handling of sensitive data, AI companies and multinational corporations must strictly adhere to the law's provisions to ensure data legality and security.
The PIPL is particularly important in AI contexts, especially when handling personal data, sensitive data, and cross-border data flows. Any AI project involving the collection, storage, or use of personal information must comply with the law's provisions.
1. Collecting & Using Personal Data in AI Projects
If AI projects involve the collection, storage, or processing of personal data, especially sensitive data, companies must follow the law's principles of legality and transparency. Companies must obtain clear consent from individuals before data collection and inform them of the purposes, methods, and storage duration.
2. Cross-Border Data in AI Training
For AI projects involving cross-border data transfers, companies must ensure the legality and security of the data and comply with the law's requirements. If sensitive personal information is involved, security assessments must be conducted to ensure that the data transfer does not pose risks to personal privacy.
3. Automated Decision-Making in AI
When using AI for automated decision-making — such as in personalized recommendations or credit evaluations — companies need to ensure transparency and fairness. Automated decisions cannot solely drive significant decisions, and individuals have the right to request an explanation and to refuse decisions made solely through automated processes.
4. Cross-Border AI Collaborations & Data Sharing
For multinational companies or AI projects involving cross-border collaborations, personal data transfers must comply with the law's provisions. Companies must conduct security assessments and obtain individual consent to ensure that personal information is not misused or leaked during transfer.
5. Processing Personal Data of Minors in AI Applications
When handling personal data of minors (especially children under 14) in AI projects, companies must obtain consent from their parents or guardians, particularly in AI applications in education, entertainment, or other fields aimed at minors.
The PIPL provides multinational companies in China with a clear framework for data protection, especially in scenarios involving personal data. To ensure compliance and reduce legal risks, managers should integrate data protection requirements into the design and implementation of AI projects.
Legality & Transparency of Data Collection
Ensure all personal information collected has a clear and lawful processing purpose. Follow the principle of minimizing data collection. Inform individuals of how their data will be used and obtain clear consent before the project initiation stage.
Cross-Border Data Flow Compliance
Ensure cross-border data transfers comply with legal requirements. Perform compliance assessments and implement standard contracts, data protection certifications, or security assessments for cross-border flows involving personal or sensitive data.
Compliance Review & Internal Monitoring
Establish internal monitoring and compliance review mechanisms to regularly check data protection measures in AI projects. Through continuous audits, identify potential compliance risks early and take corrective measures. Ensure all employees receive regular compliance training.
Transparency & User Control
Ensure data processing activities in AI projects are transparent to users and allow them to control their personal data. Provide clear privacy policies and convenient permission management systems so users can easily manage their personal information and withdraw consent.
Fairness of Automated Decision-Making
When using AI for automated decision-making, ensure transparency and fairness and avoid imposing unreasonable differential treatment on individuals. Ensure transparency in the decision-making process, allowing users to challenge decisions and adjust based on their needs.
Multinational companies building or adopting AI solutions in China must comply with the PIPL and ensure that all data processing activities meet legal requirements. Through early planning, strict data protection measures, and cross-border data compliance management, companies can ensure the smooth implementation of AI projects while building global compliance trust and promoting the healthy development of AI technology.
Complete Legislative Text
Table of Contents
- Chapter I — General Provisions
- Chapter II — Rules for the Processing of Personal Information
- Chapter III — Rules for Cross-Border Provision
- Chapter IV — Rights of Individuals
- Chapter V — Obligations of Personal Information Processors
- Chapter VI — Departments Performing Protection Duties
- Chapter VII — Legal Liability
- Chapter VIII — Supplementary Provisions
This Law also applies to activities outside the territory of the PRC involving the processing of the personal information of natural persons within the territory under any of the following circumstances:
(1) where the purpose is to provide products or services to natural persons within the territory;
(2) where the purpose is to analyze or assess the conduct of natural persons within the territory;
(3) other circumstances as provided by laws and administrative regulations.
The processing of personal information includes the collection, storage, use, processing, transmission, provision, disclosure, and deletion of personal information, among other activities.
The collection of personal information shall be limited to the minimum scope necessary to achieve the purpose of processing, and personal information may not be collected excessively.
(1) where the consent of the individual has been obtained;
(2) where it is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract to which the individual is a party, or where it is necessary for human resources management in accordance with lawfully formulated labor rules and regulations and lawfully concluded collective contracts;
(3) where it is necessary for the performance of statutory duties or statutory obligations;
(4) where it is necessary to respond to public health emergencies, or in emergency circumstances to protect the life, health, or property safety of natural persons;
(5) where personal information is processed within a reasonable scope for carrying out news reporting, public opinion supervision, or other such acts for the public interest;
(6) where personal information that has been disclosed by the individual or otherwise lawfully disclosed is processed within a reasonable scope in accordance with this Law;
(7) other circumstances as provided by laws and administrative regulations.
Where the purpose of processing, the method of processing, or the category of personal information to be processed changes, the individual's consent shall be obtained again.
The withdrawal of consent by an individual does not affect the validity of personal information processing activities already carried out on the basis of the individual's consent before the withdrawal.
(1) the name or personal name and contact information of the personal information processor;
(2) the purpose and method of processing personal information, the category of personal information to be processed, and the retention period;
(3) the methods and procedures by which the individual may exercise the rights provided in this Law;
(4) other matters that laws and administrative regulations require to be informed.
Where, in emergency circumstances, it is impossible to promptly inform the individual in order to protect the life, health, or property safety of natural persons, the personal information processor shall inform the individual promptly after the emergency is eliminated.
Where personal information is jointly processed by personal information processors and damage is caused by infringement of personal information rights and interests, they shall bear joint and several liability in accordance with law.
The entrusted party shall process personal information in accordance with the agreement and may not process personal information beyond the agreed purpose or method of processing; where the entrustment contract does not take effect, is invalid, is revoked, or is terminated, the entrusted party shall return the personal information to the personal information processor or delete it, and may not retain it.
Without the consent of the personal information processor, the entrusted party may not re-entrust another party to process personal information.
Where information is pushed to individuals or commercial marketing is conducted through automated decision-making, options not directed at their personal characteristics shall be provided at the same time, or convenient means for individuals to refuse shall be provided.
Where decisions that have a significant impact on individual rights and interests are made through automated decision-making, individuals have the right to require the personal information processor to explain the decision, and have the right to refuse decisions made solely through automated decision-making by the personal information processor.
A personal information processor may process sensitive personal information only where there is a specific purpose and sufficient necessity, and strict protective measures are taken.
Where a personal information processor processes the personal information of minors under the age of fourteen, it shall formulate special rules for the processing of personal information.
(1) passing the security assessment organized by the national cyberspace administration department in accordance with Article 40 of this Law;
(2) obtaining personal information protection certification from a professional institution in accordance with the provisions of the national cyberspace administration department;
(3) entering into a contract with the overseas recipient in accordance with the standard contract formulated by the national cyberspace administration department, stipulating the rights and obligations of both parties;
(4) other conditions provided by laws, administrative regulations, or the national cyberspace administration department.
Where international treaties or agreements concluded or acceded to by the People's Republic of China contain provisions on the conditions for providing personal information outside the territory, such provisions may be applied.
Personal information processors shall adopt necessary measures to ensure that the personal information processing activities of overseas recipients reach the personal information protection standards prescribed by this Law.
Where an individual requests to consult or copy their personal information, the personal information processor shall provide it in a timely manner.
Where an individual requests the transfer of personal information to a personal information processor designated by the individual, and the conditions prescribed by the national cyberspace administration department are met, the personal information processor shall provide a means for the transfer.
Where an individual requests correction or supplementation of their personal information, the personal information processor shall verify the personal information and correct or supplement it in a timely manner.
(1) where the purpose of processing has been achieved, cannot be achieved, or the personal information is no longer necessary to achieve the purpose of processing;
(2) where the personal information processor ceases to provide products or services, or the retention period has expired;
(3) where the individual withdraws consent;
(4) where the personal information processor processes personal information in violation of laws, administrative regulations, or agreements;
(5) other circumstances provided by laws and administrative regulations.
Where a personal information processor refuses an individual's request to exercise rights, the individual may bring a lawsuit before a people's court in accordance with law.
(1) formulating internal management systems and operating procedures;
(2) implementing classified management of personal information;
(3) adopting corresponding security technical measures such as encryption and de-identification;
(4) reasonably determining operation permissions for personal information processing and regularly conducting security education and training for employees;
(5) formulating and organizing the implementation of emergency plans for personal information security incidents;
(6) other measures prescribed by laws and administrative regulations.
Personal information processors shall disclose the contact information of the person in charge of personal information protection, and report the name and contact information of that person to the department performing personal information protection duties.
(1) processing sensitive personal information;
(2) using personal information for automated decision-making;
(3) entrusting the processing of personal information, providing personal information to other personal information processors, or disclosing personal information;
(4) providing personal information abroad;
(5) other personal information processing activities having a significant impact on individual rights and interests.
(1) whether the purpose and method of processing personal information are lawful, legitimate, and necessary;
(2) the impact on individual rights and interests and the security risks;
(3) whether the protective measures adopted are lawful, effective, and appropriate to the degree of risk.
Personal information protection impact assessment reports and records of processing shall be retained for at least three years.
(1) the categories of personal information leaked, tampered with, or lost, or that may be leaked, tampered with, or lost, the cause thereof, and the possible harm that may be caused;
(2) the remedial measures taken by the personal information processor and measures that individuals may take to mitigate harm;
(3) the contact information of the personal information processor.
(1) establishing and improving, in accordance with State provisions, a compliance system for personal information protection, and establishing an independent body composed mainly of external members to supervise the protection of personal information;
(2) following the principles of openness, fairness, and impartiality, formulating platform rules, and clarifying the norms and obligations for providers of products or services within the platform to process personal information and protect personal information;
(3) ceasing to provide services to providers of products or services within the platform that seriously violate laws or administrative regulations in processing personal information;
(4) regularly publishing social responsibility reports on personal information protection and accepting public supervision.
(1) conducting publicity and education on personal information protection, and guiding and supervising personal information processors in carrying out personal information protection work;
(2) accepting and handling complaints and reports related to personal information protection;
(3) organizing evaluations of personal information protection in applications and the like, and publishing the evaluation results;
(4) investigating and handling illegal personal information processing activities;
(5) other duties prescribed by laws and administrative regulations.
(1) formulating specific rules and standards for personal information protection;
(2) formulating special personal information protection rules and standards for small personal information processors, the processing of sensitive personal information, and new technologies and applications such as facial recognition and artificial intelligence;
(3) supporting the research, development, and promotion of secure and convenient electronic identity authentication technologies, and advancing the construction of public services for online identity authentication;
(4) advancing the construction of a socialized service system for personal information protection and supporting relevant institutions in carrying out personal information protection assessment and certification services;
(5) improving the complaint and reporting mechanisms for personal information protection.
(1) interviewing relevant parties and investigating circumstances related to personal information processing activities;
(2) consulting and copying contracts, records, account books, and other relevant materials of the parties related to personal information processing activities;
(3) carrying out on-site inspections and investigating suspected illegal personal information processing activities;
(4) inspecting equipment and items related to personal information processing activities.
Departments performing personal information protection duties shall publish the means for receiving complaints and reports.
Where the illegal acts prescribed in the preceding paragraph are serious, the department performing personal information protection duties at or above the provincial level shall order correction, confiscate illegal gains, and impose a fine of not more than RMB 50 million or not more than 5 percent of the turnover of the preceding year, and may also order suspension of relevant business or suspension of business for rectification, and notify relevant competent departments to revoke relevant business permits or revoke the business license; the directly responsible person in charge and other directly liable persons shall be fined not less than RMB 100,000 but not more than RMB 1 million.
The liability for damages prescribed in the preceding paragraph shall be determined according to the loss suffered by the individual as a result thereof or the benefits obtained by the personal information processor therefrom; where the loss suffered by the individual and the benefits obtained by the personal information processor are difficult to determine, the amount of compensation shall be determined according to the actual circumstances.
Where laws contain provisions on the processing of personal information in statistical and archives administration activities organized and implemented by people's governments at all levels and relevant departments thereof, such provisions shall apply.
(1) "personal information processor" refers to an organization or individual that independently determines the purpose and method of processing in personal information processing activities.
(2) "automated decision-making" refers to activities of automatically analyzing and assessing an individual's behavioral habits, interests and preferences, or economic, health, and credit status, and making decisions through computer programs.
(3) "de-identification" refers to the process by which personal information is processed so that it cannot identify a specific natural person without the aid of additional information.
(4) "anonymization" refers to the process by which personal information is processed so that it cannot identify a specific natural person and cannot be restored.
目 录
中华人民共和国个人信息保护法
(2021年8月20日第十三届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第三十次会议通过)
来源:中国人大网
在中华人民共和国境外处理中华人民共和国境内自然人个人信息的活动,有下列情形之一的,也适用本法:
(一)以向境内自然人提供产品或者服务为目的;
(二)分析、评估境内自然人的行为;
(三)法律、行政法规规定的其他情形。
个人信息的处理包括个人信息的收集、存储、使用、加工、传输、提供、公开、删除等。
收集个人信息,应当限于实现处理目的的最小范围,不得过度收集个人信息。
(一)取得个人的同意;
(二)为订立、履行个人作为一方当事人的合同所必需,或者按照依法制定的劳动规章制度和依法签订的集体合同实施人力资源管理所必需;
(三)为履行法定职责或者法定义务所必需;
(四)为应对突发公共卫生事件,或者紧急情况下为保护自然人的生命健康和财产安全所必需;
(五)为公共利益实施新闻报道、舆论监督等行为,在合理的范围内处理个人信息;
(六)依照本法规定在合理的范围内处理个人自行公开或者其他已经合法公开的个人信息;
(七)法律、行政法规规定的其他情形。
个人信息的处理目的、处理方式和处理的个人信息种类发生变更的,应当重新取得个人同意。
个人撤回同意,不影响撤回前基于个人同意已进行的个人信息处理活动的效力。
(一)个人信息处理者的名称或者姓名和联系方式;
(二)个人信息的处理目的、处理方式,处理的个人信息种类、保存期限;
(三)个人行使本法规定权利的方式和程序;
(四)法律、行政法规规定应当告知的其他事项。
紧急情况下为保护自然人的生命健康和财产安全无法及时向个人告知的,个人信息处理者应当在紧急情况消除后及时告知。
个人信息处理者共同处理个人信息,侵害个人信息权益造成损害的,应当依法承担连带责任。
受托人应当按照约定处理个人信息,不得超出约定的处理目的、处理方式等处理个人信息;委托合同不生效、无效、被撤销或者终止的,受托人应当将个人信息返还个人信息处理者或者予以删除,不得保留。
未经个人信息处理者同意,受托人不得转委托他人处理个人信息。
通过自动化决策方式向个人进行信息推送、商业营销,应当同时提供不针对其个人特征的选项,或者向个人提供便捷的拒绝方式。
通过自动化决策方式作出对个人权益有重大影响的决定,个人有权要求个人信息处理者予以说明,并有权拒绝个人信息处理者仅通过自动化决策的方式作出决定。
只有在具有特定的目的和充分的必要性,并采取严格保护措施的情形下,个人信息处理者方可处理敏感个人信息。
个人信息处理者处理不满十四周岁未成年人个人信息的,应当制定专门的个人信息处理规则。
(一)依照本法第四十条的规定通过国家网信部门组织的安全评估;
(二)按照国家网信部门的规定经专业机构进行个人信息保护认证;
(三)按照国家网信部门制定的标准合同与境外接收方订立合同,约定双方的权利和义务;
(四)法律、行政法规或者国家网信部门规定的其他条件。
个人请求查阅、复制其个人信息的,个人信息处理者应当及时提供。
个人请求将个人信息转移至其指定的个人信息处理者,符合国家网信部门规定条件的,个人信息处理者应当提供转移的途径。
个人请求更正、补充其个人信息的,个人信息处理者应当对其个人信息予以核实,并及时更正、补充。
(一)处理目的已实现、无法实现或者为实现处理目的不再必要;
(二)个人信息处理者停止提供产品或者服务,或者保存期限已届满;
(三)个人撤回同意;
(四)个人信息处理者违反法律、行政法规或者违反约定处理个人信息;
(五)法律、行政法规规定的其他情形。
个人信息处理者拒绝个人行使权利的请求的,个人可以依法向人民法院提起诉讼。
(一)制定内部管理制度和操作规程;
(二)对个人信息实行分类管理;
(三)采取相应的加密、去标识化等安全技术措施;
(四)合理确定个人信息处理的操作权限,并定期对从业人员进行安全教育和培训;
(五)制定并组织实施个人信息安全事件应急预案;
(六)法律、行政法规规定的其他措施。
个人信息处理者应当公开个人信息保护负责人的联系方式,并将个人信息保护负责人的姓名、联系方式等报送履行个人信息保护职责的部门。
(一)处理敏感个人信息;
(二)利用个人信息进行自动化决策;
(三)委托处理个人信息、向其他个人信息处理者提供个人信息、公开个人信息;
(四)向境外提供个人信息;
(五)其他对个人权益有重大影响的个人信息处理活动。
(一)个人信息的处理目的、处理方式等是否合法、正当、必要;
(二)对个人权益的影响及安全风险;
(三)所采取的保护措施是否合法、有效并与风险程度相适应。
个人信息保护影响评估报告和处理情况记录应当至少保存三年。
(一)发生或者可能发生个人信息泄露、篡改、丢失的信息种类、原因和可能造成的危害;
(二)个人信息处理者采取的补救措施和个人可以采取的减轻危害的措施;
(三)个人信息处理者的联系方式。
(一)按照国家规定建立健全个人信息保护合规制度体系,成立主要由外部成员组成的独立机构对个人信息保护情况进行监督;
(二)遵循公开、公平、公正的原则,制定平台规则,明确平台内产品或者服务提供者处理个人信息的规范和保护个人信息的义务;
(三)对严重违反法律、行政法规处理个人信息的平台内的产品或者服务提供者,停止提供服务;
(四)定期发布个人信息保护社会责任报告,接受社会监督。
(一)开展个人信息保护宣传教育,指导、监督个人信息处理者开展个人信息保护工作;
(二)接受、处理与个人信息保护有关的投诉、举报;
(三)组织对应用程序等个人信息保护情况进行测评,并公布测评结果;
(四)调查、处理违法个人信息处理活动;
(五)法律、行政法规规定的其他职责。
(一)制定个人信息保护具体规则、标准;
(二)针对小型个人信息处理者、处理敏感个人信息以及人脸识别、人工智能等新技术、新应用,制定专门的个人信息保护规则、标准;
(三)支持研究开发和推广应用安全、方便的电子身份认证技术,推进网络身份认证公共服务建设;
(四)推进个人信息保护社会化服务体系建设,支持有关机构开展个人信息保护评估、认证服务;
(五)完善个人信息保护投诉、举报工作机制。
(一)询问有关当事人,调查与个人信息处理活动有关的情况;
(二)查阅、复制当事人与个人信息处理活动有关的合同、记录、账簿以及其他有关资料;
(三)实施现场检查,对涉嫌违法的个人信息处理活动进行调查;
(四)检查与个人信息处理活动有关的设备、物品。
履行个人信息保护职责的部门应当公布接受投诉、举报的联系方式。
有前款规定的违法行为,情节严重的,由省级以上履行个人信息保护职责的部门责令改正,没收违法所得,并处五千万元以下或者上一年度营业额百分之五以下罚款,并可以责令暂停相关业务或者停业整顿、通报有关主管部门吊销相关业务许可或者吊销营业执照;对直接负责的主管人员和其他直接责任人员处十万元以上一百万元以下罚款,并可以决定禁止其在一定期限内担任相关企业的董事、监事、高级管理人员和个人信息保护负责人。
前款规定的损害赔偿责任按照个人因此受到的损失或者个人信息处理者因此获得的利益确定;个人因此受到的损失和个人信息处理者因此获得的利益难以确定的,根据实际情况确定赔偿数额。
法律对各级人民政府及其有关部门组织实施的统计、档案管理活动中的个人信息处理有规定的,适用其规定。
(一)个人信息处理者,是指在个人信息处理活动中自主决定处理目的、处理方式的组织、个人。
(二)自动化决策,是指通过计算机程序自动分析、评估个人的行为习惯、兴趣爱好或者经济、健康、信用状况等,并进行决策的活动。
(三)去标识化,是指个人信息经过处理,使其在不借助额外信息的情况下无法识别特定自然人的过程。
(四)匿名化,是指个人信息经过处理无法识别特定自然人且不能复原的过程。