In order to control mobile app security, China has asked for all app stores throughout the country to register with the government, mobile app security testing has shown a lot of app stores are hosting apps loaded with malware. According to a recent notice issued by Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), all of its offices would maintain records of app stores that are operating in the country.

The notice further stated that since many apps have been shown to contain mobile app security risks, violate user rights or spread illegal information, the registration will hold developers accountable if an app or app store is found to be involved in any of the above mentioned illegal practices.

Beijing, the capital of China, has already had a law passed last year for all apps to be blocked from getting involved in any activities that could directly or indirectly pose a threat to national security of China. The law is still in the process of being enforced.

Just recently, the Chinese government informed Apple that the news apps of the New York Times in English and Chinese languages violated local regulations and were a threat to mobile app security. Subsequently these apps were removed by Apple from its China App Store. This shows that even though the Chinese have a firm grasp over the internet, they are still facing challenges from mobile phone apps.

Since China has blocked Google Play Store in the country, many third-party app stores have taken its place. Some of the biggest app stores in China such as Baidu, Tencent, Xiaomi, Qihoo 360 and Alibaba are owned by smartphone and internet companies.

The notice by CAC also suggests that a close watch will be kept by the authorities on the activities of these app stores. This indicates that concrete steps are now being taken to enforce last year’s law.

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