China Releases List of Compliant Mobile App Stores, Apple Excluded
Updated: Jan 9, 2024
China's cyberspace regulator has published the names of the first batch of mobile app stores that have successfully filed their business details, indicating the enforcement of new rules that expand the government's oversight of mobile apps.
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has received filings from 26 app stores, including Tencent, Huawei, Ant Group, Baidu, Xiaomi and Samsung. However, Apple's App Store is notably absent from the list. Apple has not yet responded to Reuters' request for comment on its exclusion.
In recent years, Beijing has been increasing its scrutiny of smartphone and mobile app usage. The government now requires app stores and mobile apps to submit their business details for regulatory purposes. These new rules have raised concerns within the industry, as they could make it challenging to publish apps in the world's second-largest economy, potentially leading to the removal of many apps.
The CAC introduced a rule in June last year, mandating app stores to submit business details and holding them accountable for any illegal content found in apps. In August this year, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued a notice requiring mobile apps to complete filing by the end of March.
Companies like Tencent and Huawei have already started enforcing the new rules on their app stores. However, Apple has not disclosed how its App Store in China will comply with Beijing's regulations. Experts suggest that Apple's compliance could result in the removal of tens of thousands of apps from its Chinese App Store.
The release of the compliant app store list by the CAC marks a significant step in China's efforts to tighten control over the mobile app ecosystem. The exclusion of Apple raises questions about the company's approach to regulatory compliance in China and its potential impact on the availability of apps for Chinese users.
China's cyberspace regulator has published a list of compliant mobile app stores.
The list includes app stores operated by Tencent, Huawei, Ant Group, Baidu, Xiaomi and Samsung.
Apple's App Store is not among the compliant app stores.
Beijing's new rules require app stores and mobile apps to submit business details to the government.
Source: REUTERS