China introduces its own 'snooper's charter'

Technology companies will be required to decrypt messages at the Chinese governments request, following the passage of a new law on Sunday

A new anti-terror law in China gives the government the explicit power to demand technology firms decrypt electronic messages stored on their servers, sparking concern - and confusion - from foreign companies.

The law as enacted, however, falls short of a draft bill which would have required computer companies to explicitly install "backdoors" on their devices, allowing the Chinese government privileged access to the users' communications.