China issued a draft regulation on Wednesday to address internet-based application services, following new regulations to improve algorithm recommendation services on Tuesday, in a bid to strengthen oversight of corporate and individual behavior in the cyberspace.
The draft rule, issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), said that China’s internet App service providers and their distribution platforms should not use applications to engage in activities prohibited by the law that endanger China’s national security, disrupt social order, or infringe on the legitimate rights and interests of others.
According to the draft, application providers should take technical measures to ensure data security during data processing, as well as improving the whole-process data security management system, in order to strengthen risk monitoring.
The draft came from a regulation on information service management on mobile internet applications issued by CAC, which officially came into effect on August 1, 2016.
Experts said that the draft is aimed at further regulating the management of information services on mobile Apps, as well as promoting sustainable and orderly development of the industry, alongside protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens.
The draft requires App providers to obtain a license for Internet news information services when providing news information through applications, as well as improving the audit management mechanism on information content and management measures including user registration, account management, and information audit.
During the processing of personal information, App providers should not compel users to agree to non-essential personal information processing for any reason, nor refuse the user access to basic functional services due to their unwillingness to provide non-essential personal information.
Moreover, application providers are required not to induce users to download the application through false promotion and illegal and undesirable information, nor gain traffic by controlling comments or through ‘click farming’ practices.
The draft said that providers should focus on the mental well-being of minors and strictly implement real-name registration mandates. Products and services which may induce addiction among minors should not be provided to them in any form.
The CAC said that it will improve the working mechanism to supervise and guide application providers and distribution platforms to engage in information service activities in accordance with the law.
cyberspace Photo:VCG
