China Releases Security Guide on Cross-Border Automobile Data Transfers

On February 3, 2026, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), together with seven other government authorities including the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the National Data Administration (NDA), and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), released the Security Guidelines on Cross-Border Automobile Data Transfers (2026 Edition) (hereinafter, the Security Guidelines).

For the first time, the Security Guidelines provide a systematic definition of what constitutes important automotive data, and clarify the pathways for cross‑border data transfers across six major scenarios, including R&D and design, production and manufacturing, and automated driving. The Guidelines aim to establish an efficient, convenient, and secure framework for the cross‑border transfer of automotive data and to improve the overall level of data transfer facilitation. Automobile data processors shall conduct cross-border data transfer activities in accordance with these guidelines.