74 sections indexed, 24 with our notes. Our index and notes; the law itself is at its source: official text ↗ Official English translation.

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 3

Territorial scope (our heading)

2
Reach abroad. Applies outside China when providing products or services to people in China or analyzing their behavior; foreign handlers need a local representative. Arts. 3, 53 · from a secondary source
Open article 3 in the official text ↗

Chapter II, Section 1 General Rules (Personal Information Processing Rules)

Article 13

Legal bases for processing (our heading)

2
Lawful basis. Consent or six other bases (contract/HR, legal duty, emergencies, news, public data, other laws); no legitimate interests. Art. 13 · from a secondary source
2
Marketing. Automated-decision marketing must offer a non-personalized option or easy refusal; marketing otherwise needs consent. Arts. 13, 24 · from a secondary source
Open article 13 in the official text ↗
Article 14

Requirements for valid consent (our heading)

3
Consent. Consent must be informed, voluntary and explicit; separate consent for sensitive data, transfers abroad and publication; written where laws require. Arts. 14, 29, 39 · from a secondary source
Open article 14 in the official text ↗
Article 19

Retention period (our heading)

2
Retention. Retain for the shortest period necessary; delete when purpose is achieved, consent withdrawn or retention period expires. Arts. 19, 47 · from a secondary source
Open article 19 in the official text ↗
Article 24

Automated decision-making (our heading)

3
Rights. Know and decide, restrict or refuse, access and copy, portability, correction, deletion, explanation and refusal of solely automated decisions. Arts. 24, 44-48 · from a secondary source
2
Marketing. Automated-decision marketing must offer a non-personalized option or easy refusal; marketing otherwise needs consent. Arts. 13, 24 · from a secondary source
Open article 24 in the official text ↗

Chapter II, Section 2 Rules on Processing Sensitive Personal Information

Article 28

Definition of sensitive personal information (our heading)

2
Sensitive data. Sensitive data needs a specific purpose, sufficient necessity, strict safeguards and separate consent. Arts. 28-29 · from a secondary source
2
Children. Under 14 requires parent or guardian consent and special handling rules; such data is sensitive. Arts. 28, 31 · from a secondary source
Open article 28 in the official text ↗
Article 29

Separate consent for sensitive information (our heading)

3
Consent. Consent must be informed, voluntary and explicit; separate consent for sensitive data, transfers abroad and publication; written where laws require. Arts. 14, 29, 39 · from a secondary source
2
Sensitive data. Sensitive data needs a specific purpose, sufficient necessity, strict safeguards and separate consent. Arts. 28-29 · from a secondary source
Open article 29 in the official text ↗

Chapter II, Section 3 Special Provisions on the Processing of Personal Information by State Organs

Chapter III Rules on Provision of Personal Information Across Border

Article 38

Conditions for cross-border provision (our heading)

3
Transfers abroad. Transfers need CAC security assessment, certification or the CAC standard contract, plus notice and separate consent. Arts. 38-39 · from a secondary source
Open article 38 in the official text ↗
Article 39

Notice and separate consent for cross-border provision (our heading)

3
Consent. Consent must be informed, voluntary and explicit; separate consent for sensitive data, transfers abroad and publication; written where laws require. Arts. 14, 29, 39 · from a secondary source
3
Transfers abroad. Transfers need CAC security assessment, certification or the CAC standard contract, plus notice and separate consent. Arts. 38-39 · from a secondary source
Open article 39 in the official text ↗
Article 40

Localization for CIIOs and large-volume processors (our heading)

2
Localization. Critical information infrastructure operators and handlers above CAC volume thresholds must store data collected in China domestically. Art. 40 · from a secondary source
Open article 40 in the official text ↗

Chapter IV Individuals' Rights in Personal Information Processing Activities

Article 44

Right to know and to decide (our heading)

3
Rights. Know and decide, restrict or refuse, access and copy, portability, correction, deletion, explanation and refusal of solely automated decisions. Arts. 24, 44-48 · from a secondary source
Open article 44 in the official text ↗

Chapter V Obligations of Personal Information Processors

Article 52

Personal information protection officer (our heading)

1
DPO required. Handlers processing personal information above the volume set by the CAC must appoint a personal information protection officer. Art. 52 · from a secondary source
0
DPO qualifications. No qualification or certification set in the PIPL. Art. 52 · from a secondary source
Open article 52 in the official text ↗
Article 53

Designated representative in China for overseas processors (our heading)

2
Reach abroad. Applies outside China when providing products or services to people in China or analyzing their behavior; foreign handlers need a local representative. Arts. 3, 53 · from a secondary source
0
Registration. No general controller registration; foreign handlers report their China representative to regulators. Art. 53 · from a secondary source
Open article 53 in the official text ↗
Article 55

Circumstances requiring a protection impact assessment (our heading)

3
DPIA. Prior impact assessment required for sensitive data, automated decisions, outsourcing, sharing, publication and all cross-border transfers. Art. 55 · from a secondary source
Open article 55 in the official text ↗
Article 57

Remedial measures and notification of incidents (our heading)

3
Tell the regulator. Immediately take remedial measures and notify the regulator of a leak, alteration or loss. Art. 57 · from a secondary source
2
Tell people. Notify individuals, unless measures effectively avoid harm and the regulator does not require notice. Art. 57 · from a secondary source
Open article 57 in the official text ↗

Chapter VI Departments with Personal Information Protection Duties

Chapter VII Legal Liability

Chapter VIII Supplementary Provisions

Start from the question. Pick a topic to see the sections of PIPL that deal with it, and how 39 laws compare on it.

This index, the topic tags and the notes are ours, scored on the published rubric. Headings marked "our heading" are our descriptions where the source has none. Always read the official text before acting. Not legal advice.

Regulations library

Every US state privacy law, on one map

24 states have a comprehensive privacy law in the library, alongside the EU, UK, US federal and global laws: 102 in all, each explained in plain words with its sources. Select a state to see what applies there.

  • In force
  • Coming into force
  • Sector laws
AK ME VT NH WA ID MT ND MN IL WI MI NY RI MA OR NV WY SD IA IN OH PA NJ CT CA UT CO NE MO KY WV VA MD DE AZ NM KS AR TN NC SC DC OK LA MS AL GA HI TX FL