Digitalisation is transforming society by reshaping interactions between governments, citizens, and firms while raising critical questions about the governance of private information. China’s extensive use of data collection and AI tools, such as facial recognition and social credit systems, offers valuable insights into the future of digitalisation worldwide. The interdisciplinary project PRIVACY-CHINA examines the legal, social, cultural, and political contexts of privacy in China to understand how citizens, firms, and governments can shape the digital transformation responsibly and leverage these findings to guide European societies in balancing digital opportunities and risks.