Mobile app Illustration: VCG

China issued a new regulation recently to clarify the scope of collecting necessary personal information for 39 types of commonly used apps.

The 39 types of commonly used apps include navigation apps, online ride-hailing services, instant messaging apps, and online shopping apps. According to the regulation jointly issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation and three other government agencies, 13 out of the 39 types of apps, including livestreaming apps, do not require any personal information to use.

The regulation aims to standardize apps' forcibly collection of personal information and protect people's personal information security, according to a statement on website of the Cyberspace Administration of China

The regulation was issued as a large number of apps request personal information authorization through bundled services, and users are not able to properly access the basic functions and services if users refuse to release personal information. 

Global Times