China’s revised Anti-Unfair Competition Law (AUCL), effective October 15, 2025, is a game-changer for global businesses. This isn’t just a tweak—it’s a bold overhaul that extends China’s regulatory reach worldwide, tightens digital rules, and holds executives personally accountable. For US companies with ties to China—whether through operations, suppliers, or customers—this law demands immediate attention.

The AUCL cracks down on digital misconduct, banning shady practices like data scraping, fake reviews, and coercive platform tactics. It protects digital assets like app names and social media handles, so US firms need to lock down their IP in China fast. More strikingly, the law’s extraterritorial reach means actions taken in the US—like scraping Chinese e-commerce data—could trigger fines if they impact China’s market. Penalties are steep: up to $700,000 for companies and $140,000 for executives, who now face personal liability for things like commercial bribery.

This is a call to action for American businesses. Markets like China are too big to ignore, but navigating them requires smarts. Start with a compliance audit to ensure your data practices and marketing align with the AUCL. Consider setting up a small team in Shanghai or Beijing to monitor regulations and build local partnerships. I’ve seen US tech firms pivot after a single market study trip, turning compliance headaches into opportunities for growth. With the law’s global scope, even companies without a China presence need to act—because China’s watching, and the stakes are high.

Talk to us, we’ll help you succeed in China.