China's Criminal Law Amended To Include Cyberspace Crime

On August 29,the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress adopted Amendments to the Criminal Law that will go into effect November 1, 2015, including a chapter (IX) that significantly expands criminal liability for crimes related to the Internet.

Changes include:

• Criminalization of illegal provision of personal information online
• Criminalization of internet service providers that seriously violate cyber security administrative rules
• Criminalization of those who knowingly provide technical support (including Internet access, server management, data storage, and telecommunication services) to those engaged in criminal activity online
• Criminalization of those who establish "pseudo base-stations" and disrupt wireless communications.

In addition, the amendment empowers public security organs to obtain cyber evidence.