English|China Asks Internet Firms Not to Force Users to Download App as New Tech Rules Come

BEIJING, March 3 (TMTPOST)— China is strengthening regulations on the internet sector as regulators have proposed or been working on new rules.
English|China Asks Internet Firms Not to Force Users to Download App as New Tech Rules Come
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Source: Visual China
【English|China Asks Internet Firms Not to Force Users to Download App as New Tech Rules Come】At a recent meeting to give administrative guidance, the Bureau of Information and Communications Administration of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) urged internet companies to make rectifications to improve users’ experience about viewing website, including not to force users to download any apps without their permission, not to force users who want to view contents to download any app by blocking the contents without proper reasons, not to force or misguide users to download app or link to apps on the app store by hiding collapsible contents, recommendation pop-ups, frequent notifications and other means which degrade users experience, according to a MIIT statement on Thursday. In case of app download recommendation, the internet platforms shall offer clear option to cancel any download and ensure users’ right to know and right of choice, the watchdog asked. These requirements were made in response to problems that some of netizens and media recently reported, which were harming users’ legitimate rights and interest and MIIT’s bureau immediately carried out inspection.
Prior to MIIT’s move, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) released a draft of new rules on internet pop-up push services for public comment on Wednesday. The new rule seeks to improve internet censorship on information and content, ecosystem management and cyber security and other managements. Internet services providers, including operation systems, terminal devices, applications and websites, are required not to push notifications containing content involving celebrity gossip and personal privacy, extravagant displays of wealth and the appreciation of ugliness. Under the new rule, any entity without the internet news information service license shall not send out notifications about the news. MIIT the same day published a press release on its website about a meeting, with representatives of internet giants including Tencent, Alibaba, Baidu and JD.com participated in. During the meeting, MIIT’s vice minister Zhang Yunming underscored that the internet firms shall operate in accordance with laws, fulfill their social responsibilities, stick to fair competition and facilitate opening their ecosystems to rivals.

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