Japan: Adopted 2022 Amendment of Telecommunications Business Act

On 13 June 2022, the Act amending the Telecommunications Business Law was adopted by the House of Councillors of the National Diet of Japan. The Amendment aims to introduce data privacy protections for users of telecommunications services. The Amendments require telecommunications service providers, including online business operators, social networking service providers and search engine providers, to notify the user in advance or provide opt-out measures concerning the external transmission of user-related information. Furthermore, providers reaching certain size threshold may be designated and subdued to communication secrecy and certain user identification obligations. In addition, providers must report business suspensions and certain data leaks. Moreover, search service providers must notify their operations. Finally, wholesale telecommunication services cannot refuse service without justification.