Successful Hybrid Seminar on Data Compliance Management for Firms with Operations in Singapore and China by Dezan Shira & Associates

Singapore, Wednesday, April 24, 2024 | In collaboration with the Central and Eastern European Chambers of Commerce in Singapore and Vietnam, as well as the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, we had the pleasure of hosting our inaugural Singapore hybrid seminar: “Navigating Data Compliance in Singapore and China: Insights for Multinational Businesses.”

Leading up to the seminar, we closely monitored the recent updates to the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL), a comprehensive data protection law enacted by China. These recent changes are pressuring foreign firms active in China and those serving the Chinese market to take action. Simultaneously, numerous global firms manage their operations from their Singapore headquarters—for ASEAN or all of Asia. Given the recent updates to the regulatory framework in China, about which we recently published guidance, we deemed it crucial to discuss the implications for both Singapore-based and China-operating firms.

For our hybrid session, Nathaniel Rushforth, Senior Data Security & Compliance Consultant from our Shanghai team, invited two seasoned Singapore-based data compliance practitioners to form a panel and discuss how multinational firms should approach these issues. We welcomed Lanx Goh, Global Head of Privacy for Prudential and Honorary Consul of Bulgaria in Singapore, and Christopher Chew, Technical Lead of CISCO and active board member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals for the discussion, which was moderated by our Singapore Country Director David Stepat.

Key takeaways from the session identified crucial action items for companies with operations in both countries:

• Comprehensive data classification efforts to identify potentially sensitive information.
• Granular network infrastructure audits to uncover potential security gaps.

A holistic approach to policy formation, including analysis of common data compliance approaches shared by both jurisdictions, as well as policy fits to accommodate potential differences starting with the above items will provide companies with a solid and sustainable compliance foundation.

Nathaniel Rushforth summarizes his impressions from the panel discussion: “It was great discussing developments in data compliance across both Singapore and China with Chris and Lanx. I was particularly pleased to discuss how companies can confidently and efficiently operationalize in both regulatory environments. It was also interesting to hear my fellow speakers’ insights on leading-edge AI applications and how Singapore addresses widespread and growing concerns on that front. In essence, both China and Singapore are continually determining how they want to address the concepts of digital sovereignty and the intertwined, cross-border, interdependent nature of modern businesses.”

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Emoke Sasi from the Central and Eastern Chamber of Commerce in Singapore and Silvia Sambugaro from the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore for co-organizing this insightful session. Also, a thank you to the Central and Eastern European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam for their support!

More about Data Protection Compliance:

• Understanding Personal Data Protection Compliance in Singapore
• Intellectual Property Protection in Singapore
• Free Guide on China’s PIPL

About Us

Dezan Shira & Associates provides guidance and support decision-making in the Vietnamese market. We support clients from our 29 offices throughout China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Dubai, Germany, Italy, the United States, and the UK, as well as from our 14 Asian Alliance partner offices in Australia, Bangladesh, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, and South Korea. Together, we make up one of the largest integrated providers of corporate services in the entire Asian region, including more than 600 professionals in Asia.