On February 3, eight key departments—among them the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Cyberspace Administration of China, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the National Data Administration—jointly unveiled the 'Security Guidelines for the Cross-Border Transfer of Automotive Data (2026 Edition)'.

These guidelines are specifically designed to address various scenarios within the automotive sector, including research and development, production processes, driving automation, software updates, and networked operations. They offer refined criteria for identifying critical data, along with clear methodologies for conducting security assessments related to cross-border data transfers. Additionally, they outline the establishment of standardized contracts for the cross-border transfer of personal information.

The overarching goal is to facilitate the creation of an efficient, streamlined, and secure framework for the cross-border flow of automotive data. By doing so, it aims to enhance the ease of cross-border data transfers while fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between the high-quality development and robust security of the automotive industry.