China’s Internet watchdog tightens mobile app rules for national security, requires promotion of ‘core socialist values’

New rules from the Cybersecurity Administration of China go into effect on Aug 1 and align with last year’s data security laws. While China still has a vibrant developer community, recently praised by Apple CEO Tim Cook, the number of apps available halved between 2018 and 2020. — SCMP

China’s Internet watchdog has updated its rules regulating mobile app development with stricter requirements for content and data protections, a move that could deal a fresh blow to the country’s developer community after more than two million apps disappeared from the market in a three-year span.

The Cybersecurity Administration of China (CAC) on Tuesday published the revised version of the Provisions on the Administration of Mobile Internet Applications Information Services, which will take effect on Aug 1, doubling the document’s length over the previous version published in 2016.