Terrorism law expands China's surveillance power

A recently passed security law in China has raised concerns among business and human rights groups. The legislation could require foreign tech firms to hand over sensitive information.

According to officials, this is the country's first counterterrorism law, and it will go into effect in January. The measure is intended to help prevent terror attacks in China and better protect its citizens overseas.

"Nowadays, the Internet is increasingly used by terror groups to spread their extremist ideas, recruit fighters, channel fund and plot attacks," says an official from Xinhua news agency.

The final version of the law requires telecom operators and Internet companies to help authorities with decryption of data and other counterterrorism efforts.

The U.S. President Obama personally raised concerns about the controversial law to President Xi Jinping. Other foreign governments also says that it uses a too-broad definition of terror, allowing Chinese authorities increased powers of surveillance.

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