Cyber security. Photo: IC

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on Thursday ordered several app stores to remove 90 mobile phone APPs as they are detected for violating government regulations about users' personal information.

The investigation was led by MIIT and enforced by five provincial-level telecom industry regulators. 

APPs of Chinese social media platform Maimai which rivals LinkedIn, NASDAQ-listed OTA (Online Travel Agency) Tuniu, online ticketing platform Damai and online community Tianya.cn were removed from the stores.

On April 23, MIIT had warned 93 mobile apps for infringing users' legal rights and vowed on April 26 to solicit public opinion on a draft rule to strengthen oversight of mobile apps' handling of personal data, and the regulator will continue to outlaw apps that violate the regulations.

According to the MIIT, problematic apps that require an overhaul should address their problems within five working days. For those which refuse to rectify issues raised by the regulator will be removed from APP stores, permanently.