China passes controversial cybersecurity law

China Monday passed a controversial cybersecurity bill tightening restrictions on online freedom of speech and imposing new rules on online service providers, raising concerns it is further cloistering its heavily controlled internet. The ruling Communist Party oversees a vast censorship system - dubbed the Great Firewall - that aggressively blocks sites or snuffs out internet content and commentary on topics considered sensitive, such as Beijing's human rights record and criticism of the government.
And it has aggressively blocked major companies such as Google and Facebook from offering their services in its domestic cyber space. The law, which was approved by the National People's Congress Standing Committee, is largely focused on protecting the country's networks and private user information.