China imposes mobile app controls

Chinese authorities have stepped up regulation of mobile applications, imposing registration requirements, making user identification mandatory and putting much of the onus on companies that provide the products.

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), which oversees online information and security, has declared itself the administrative body for all app content and set out a range of rules. These include requiring app store operators to register with the local CAC office within 30 days of the business going online, manage their catalogue for data security and lawfulness, and de-listing any non-compliant apps.

The Provisions for the Administration of the Information Services of Mobile Internet Application Programs (Provisions), which took effect on August 1, also subject app providers and store operators to minimum requirements. Article 5 of the Provisions, which states that “relevant qualifications specified in laws and regulations” must be secured to provide services via apps, has drawn attention for what one lawyer described as a lack of clarity.