cyberspace Photo:VCG

China's top internet regulator issued a draft regulation on Wednesday, prohibiting internet app providers from using apps to endanger China's national security and disrupt social order. 

The draft rule, issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), said that internet app service providers and their distribution platforms should not use apps to engage in illegal activities that endanger national security, disrupt social order, or infringe on the legitimate rights and interests of others.

The draft regulation came one day after the CAC issued new regulations intended to improve algorithm recommendation services on Tuesday to ensure market order and protect consumers' rights and interests.

Experts said that the draft is aimed at further improving the management of information services on mobile apps and promoting the sustainable and orderly development of the industry, while also protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese consumers.

"Internet security cannot exist without national security... The draft showed that in the new year, the country will further promote the regulation of the internet in accordance with the law," Liu Dingding, a Beijing-based independent analyst, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"China has entered a new era of comprehensive law-based internet governance, whether it involves algorithm control or app management," Liu said.

According to the draft on Wednesday, app providers should take technical measures to ensure security during data processing and improving the whole-process data security management system, in order to strengthen risk monitoring. 

The draft requires app providers to obtain a license for internet news information services when providing news information through apps.

During the processing of personal information, app providers should not compel users to agree to non-essential personal information processing for any reason, nor block the user from gaining access to basic functions due to their unwillingness to provide non-essential personal information.

Moreover, app providers may not induce users to download their apps through false promotions, or through illegal and undesirable information, nor gain traffic by controlling comments or through 'click farming' practices. 

"It will provide a favorable environment for fair competition among enterprises, as well as protecting customers' right to know," Liu said.

The draft also said that providers should focus on the mental well-being of minors and strictly implement real-name registration mandates. Products and services that may lead to 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 app providers and distribution platforms to engage in information service activities in accordance with the law.

Global Times