China to Release Guidelines for Pre-installed Mobile Apps
MIIT, 11/19/15
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) recently began soliciting public opinions for the implementation of new guidelines for the management of pre-installed apps and app distribution. The regulations stipulate that smartphone manufacturers and Internet information service providers should allow for non-essential pre-installed apps to be uninstallable. Essential apps include the following: basic operating system components, apps that ensure the normal operation of the phone, basic communication apps, and app stores. Additionally, if multiple pre-installed apps serve the same purpose, then only one can be set as mandatory. The remaining apps should be uninstallable.
The MIIT requires that all apps that do not fall under the aforementioned categories be easily uninstallable and do not adversely affect the normal operations of the phone. Users should also be able to uninstall or delete all related resource documents, configuration files, and user data. Additionally, manufacturers must ensure that these apps and files will not be forcibly restored during operating system upgrades. If an app is discovered to have malware, the relevant government department will require that the app be removed. The regulations also state that mobile phone manufacturers and Internet information service providers must not transfer or package any apps that are unrelated to the services they provide. Apps are not permitted to use or collect user information, force open apps, send commercial messages to users, or take any other actions that infringe upon the legal rights of the user or breach internet security without first notifying the user and receiving express authorization to do so. Violators will be required to remedy the problem and will be subject to fines. Additionally, their actions will be announced to the general public.
Keywords: smartphone wireless MIIT pre-installed handset regulation mobile application
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