17th January 2025 – (Beijing) China’s Foreign Ministry has firmly stated that it has never mandated companies or individuals to unlawfully gather or supply overseas data to the Chinese government. Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the ministry, made these comments during a regular press briefing on Friday, responding to privacy complaints filed by the Austrian advocacy group Noyb against six Chinese companies, including Xiaomi and TikTok.
Noyb has accused these firms of illegally transmitting EU user data to China, raising concerns about data privacy and security. Guo emphasised that the Chinese government prioritises the protection of data privacy in line with local laws and urged relevant parties to foster a fair and transparent business environment for Chinese enterprises.
In a statement, Xiaomi acknowledged the complaint from Noyb and confirmed it is reviewing the allegations. The company reiterated its commitment to compliance with applicable regulations, including the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and asserted that user data is processed in accordance with local laws.
Xiaomi highlighted its core values of transparency and accountability, stating it would fully cooperate with any national data protection authority regarding the complaint. Other companies named in the complaint had not provided comments at the time of publication.
The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU also defended Chinese enterprises, asserting that they adhere strictly to the EU’s rigorous data privacy standards and have established data centres within Europe to ensure compliance. This incident marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding data privacy and international business operations.
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