The Chinese government’s obsession with censorship has struck once again as the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has announced late last week that apps stores that operate within the country will need to be registered with the government.
Beginning today, all app stores will need to register with the CAC in order to continue operating. The rule is based on a law introduced in summer of 2016 that restrict apps that attempt to disrupt national security, social order, and other illegal activities. Other interesting things to note about the ruling includes the fact that app store owners will have to register with the CAC if they’re setting up a storefornt, making changes to a preexisting storefont, or if they’re shutting down the storefront altogether.
An interesting thing to note about the rules surrounding app store registration is that it is vague. While the CAC claims that this move is to protect Chinese consumers from shady transactions and poor security standards that are implemented by certain app stores, it is not too much of a stretch to say that censorship is also part of the motivation.
Source: The Verge, The New York Times, Cyberspace Administration of China