White House criticizes regressive Chinese cyber security law
The White House has weighed in on the introduction of a new cyber security law in China after raising concerns about the policy during bilateral talks on cybercrime between officials of both nations.
A frank exchange took place during a meeting between US national security adviser Susan Rice and Chinese state councilor Guo Shengkun, while discussing the need to ‘fully adhere’ to an anti-hacking pact signed by both countries.
That stance could be undermined by a new law aimed at cracking down on criminal hackers and terrorists which critics say will exclude foreign technology firms from operating in ‘critical’ sectors within China, more onerous security reviews and for data to be stored on Chinese servers.
This follows heightened concern within the US that China might be reneging on a reciprocal 2015 pledge by Chinese president Xi Jinping and US president Barack Obama, that neither nation would engage in hacking for commercial gain.
Human rights campaigners have also come out against the Chinese law, warning that it will further restrict internet access in a country already accustomed to widespread censorship.
President Obama has previously acknowledged that cyber security is a weak spot in American defences.