China’s new rules governing mobile apps will come into force on August 1, the country’s internet regulator said on Tuesday.
Providers must not use apps to conduct activities that endanger national security, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said.
The new rules also mandate that mobile apps with functions that could influence public opinion will need to seek a security review.
In January, China’s cyber regulatory body issued the draft rules governing mobile apps.
Authentication Of User’s Identity
The rules include forcing users to authenticate their identity through mobile phone numbers, identity card numbers, or unified social credit codes.
App providers will also be prevented from providing services to users who provide false information or use the identity of other organisations or individuals for registration.
The proposed regulations are part of a campaign over the past year to increase oversight of the country’s tech companies.
While Chinese laws generally prohibit the distribution of content that is considered, among others, to damage the law, national security or national or personal rights.
“The CAC has become increasingly significant as a Chinese regulatory body governing the cyberspace, in particular the contents delivered in the cyberspace,” Shi Jingyuan, a partner at law firm Simmons & Simmons, said.
- Reuters, with additional editing by George Russell
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