The following document announces a new crackdown on mobile apps by China’s internet regulator. The announcement describes an app market rife with scams, pornography, and other undesirable phenomena, and puts the onus on Chinese app provider platforms to improve the situation.

The Chinese source text is available online at: http://www.cac.gov.cn/2022-12/12/c_1672477187051942.htm

An archived version of the Chinese source text is available online at: https://perma.cc/J73H-K3K9

Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission Arranges and Launches “Clear and Bright: Rectifying the Chaos in the Realm of Mobile Internet Application Programs” Special Campaign

The Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission has launched the “Clear and Bright: Rectifying the Chaos in the Realm of Mobile Internet Application Programs” special campaign in order to regulate information services management for mobile internet application programs, to more thoroughly govern the chaos in application programs such as apps, applets, and fast apps,¹ to further concentrate the main responsibilities of application program distribution platforms, and to promote the healthy and orderly development of the industry.

1. Work Objectives

Implement and practice the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, persist in taking the people as the center (以人民为中心), strengthen management of the entire mobile internet application program chain, comprehensively regulate the operational behavior of the search, download, use, and other features of mobile application programs, focus on resolving prominent problems that harm users’ legitimate rights and interests, thoroughly govern all types of chaotic phenomena, purify the online environment, and create a clear and bright cyberspace.

2. Main Tasks

According to the requirements of the Administrative Regulations for Mobile Internet Application Program Information Services, supervise and urge application program distribution platforms to carry out each task well, rectify existing problems at various levels, and promote the healthy and orderly development of the industry.

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1. Translator’s note: “Fast apps” (快应用) are a type of applet created by major Chinese mobile phone providers. Fast apps provide the same functionality to mobile phone users as regular apps, but need not be downloaded or installed.