China Requires Registration of App Stores

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on January 13, 2017 issued a notice concerning registration of Internet app stores. The notice requires that, effective January 16, all app stores must register with the provincial-level cyberspace authority which granted the applicant an Internet Content Provider (ICP) filing or license to the app store service provider within 30 days after the online business is launched. This enables the cyberspace authority to regulate the app store offerings.

The CAC's spokesperson stated that many apps have been found to disseminate illegal information, violate online user rights or endanger societal security, and thus the notice aims to identify the relevant responsible person if any apps or app stores are found to engage in such illegal practices.