- tech360.tv
Tencent and Other Companies Implement China's New App Measures
Updated: Jan 8
Tencent Holdings, Xiaomi and other mobile app stores in China have started implementing new rules that require app publishers to make all necessary disclosures to authorities.
These rules, introduced by Beijing to tighten oversight of mobile apps, have raised concerns within the industry about the difficulty of publishing apps in the country and the potential need to remove existing apps.
The new regulations, which mandate that mobile app publishers submit business details to the government, gave app stores in China until the end of August to establish filing systems for overseeing new apps. Failure to comply with the rules can result in apps being barred from being featured on the platforms.
Rich Bishop, CEO of app publishing firm AppInChina, explained that the Android app stores have confirmed the requirement for app filings for new apps starting from Friday and existing apps must have the filings by March 31. This forces global apps on these platforms to either establish a local entity or collaborate with a local partner.
While China's technology sector has faced regulatory crackdowns in the past, the introduction of these new rules indicates that authorities are still scrutinising the industry to align business activities with socialist ideals. Last week, Tencent, Huawei Technologies, Xiaomi, OPPO and Vivo issued notices to app publishers, stating that new apps without sufficient paperwork will not be featured on their Android-based app stores. Apple has not disclosed how its app store in China will comply with the new rules.
Tencent's WeChat, China's most popular social media platform, has also notified app publishers that the filing requirement applies to "WeChat Mini Apps" as well. Huawei's notice mentioned that the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has established a dedicated task force to enforce the new policy and will hold talks with industry participants.
It remains to be seen how Apple will adapt its app store in China to comply with the regulations. As of now, Apple is not checking the filing status of apps, according to AppInChina.
Tencent Holdings, Xiaomi and other mobile app stores in China are enforcing new rules that require app publishers to make necessary disclosures to authorities.
The regulations aim to tighten oversight of mobile apps in China and have raised concerns about the difficulty of publishing apps and the potential need to remove existing ones.
App stores were given until the end of August to establish filing systems for overseeing new apps.
Source: Reuters