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Apple app developers will now be required to show proof of a Chinese government licence before they release their apps on its App Store in the country. These tighter regulations come a few days after a report suggested that the company representatives met with Chinese officials to express concerns about the new rules that will prevent the iPhone maker from listing foreign apps – such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and others – on the store in China.
According to a report by news agency Reuters, The app developers must submit the “internet content provider (ICP) filing” – a registration system which is required for websites to operate legally in China. Most local app stores, including the ones operated by Tencent and Huawei, have adopted this mandate since at least 2017.
In order to get an ICP filing licence, app developers must have a company in China or work with a local publisher. This is seen as a huge obstacle for a large number of apps developed by non-Chinese developers.
Why new rules are a problem for Apple
Apple’s loose ICP policy has allowed it to offer more mobile apps – a large number of which are developed by foreign developers – than local app rivals. This helped the tech giant to boost its popularity in China.
Despite being banned in China, Chinese users have been able to access and use some internet apps that are banned in the country through a virtual private network, or VPN. Apple’s compliance will mean the accessibility of hundreds of thousands of apps on its App Store in China will be affected.
As a result, these new rules may dent Apple’s popularity in China, which is its third largest market after the US and European region.
It was also reported that Chinese officials told Apple that it must strictly implement rules that ban unregistered foreign apps from the App Store. Failing to do so will mean that app providers could face legal consequences in the country. Additionally, Apple could face punishment for hosting unregistered apps on the App Store in China.
The grace period for adopting the rules will end in March 2024.
According to a report by news agency Reuters, The app developers must submit the “internet content provider (ICP) filing” – a registration system which is required for websites to operate legally in China. Most local app stores, including the ones operated by Tencent and Huawei, have adopted this mandate since at least 2017.
In order to get an ICP filing licence, app developers must have a company in China or work with a local publisher. This is seen as a huge obstacle for a large number of apps developed by non-Chinese developers.
Why new rules are a problem for Apple
Apple’s loose ICP policy has allowed it to offer more mobile apps – a large number of which are developed by foreign developers – than local app rivals. This helped the tech giant to boost its popularity in China.
Despite being banned in China, Chinese users have been able to access and use some internet apps that are banned in the country through a virtual private network, or VPN. Apple’s compliance will mean the accessibility of hundreds of thousands of apps on its App Store in China will be affected.
As a result, these new rules may dent Apple’s popularity in China, which is its third largest market after the US and European region.
It was also reported that Chinese officials told Apple that it must strictly implement rules that ban unregistered foreign apps from the App Store. Failing to do so will mean that app providers could face legal consequences in the country. Additionally, Apple could face punishment for hosting unregistered apps on the App Store in China.
The grace period for adopting the rules will end in March 2024.
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