All mainland app providers ordered to keep user logs for months to curb spread of ‘illegal information’

Internet authorities are tightening their grip on the rapidly growing app market, with new rules demanding that all app providers on the mainland adopt real-name registration for users and keep their user activity logs for 60 days.

The new rules from the Cyberspace Administration of China also aim to rein in excessive access of users’ personal data by app ­providers.

The new regulation applies to the provision of “information services through mobile internet apps as well as app store services on the Chinese mainland”. It is unclear if the new regulation would affect overseas users of Chinese apps.

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The administration said the regulation, which will take effect from August 1, was introduced to curb the dissemination of “illegal information” and violations of users’ rights through mobile apps.

“Lawbreakers exploit a handful of apps to disseminate violent, terrorist, obscene and pornographic information and rumours against the law,” an unnamed CAC official said in a statement on the agency’s website.

The administration estimated there were more than four million apps available through online stores on the mainland. According to research firm Analysys International, WeChat, QQ, Alipay, Taobao and Tencent Video were among the most popular last month in terms of number of ­active users. Alibaba, which operates Alipay and Taobao, owns the South China Morning Post.

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Under the new regulation, users will still be allowed to adopt a public alias but not before registering their real identities with the app providers. App providers must verify those identities by mobile phone numbers or other means.