China Releases Regulations On Internet Search Services And Mobile Apps

On 25 June 2016, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) published its new Administrative Provisions on Internet Information Search Services (the "Search Provisions"). Three days later, the Administrative Provisions on Mobile Internet Applications Information Services (the "Mobile Provisions") were released. Both Provisions will come into effect on 1 August 2016.

The Search Provisions impose several new obligations on Internet information search service providers ("Search Providers"), which are broadly defined as those that "utilise computer technology to collect and process information on the Internet for retrieval by users" including search engines and social media providers. Search Providers shall: (1) adopt information security management systems to enable the review and real-time inspection of the information by the relevant government agencies, and protection of personal information; (2) not post or allow obscene content and other content prohibited