Apple bows to China, starts enforcing App Store rules
William Gallagher
Apple has begun requiring new apps to have a licence from the Chinese government before they can be added to the App Store.
China announced its new app laws in August 2023, saying that developers must be either based in the country, or partnered with one that is. There are then privacy issues over where users' personal data is held, but the law primarily gives the Chinese government total control over what apps can be sold in its country.
Previously, it's been believed that China implemented the new law specifically so that it could crack down on social media firms including Facebook and Instagram. Such services are already banned online, but could be accessed via apps.
Apple resisted the law change, to the point of reportedly having staff meet with Chinese officials to object to it. Even following this, Apple still held out despite Chinese protests.
According to Reuters, however, Apple has now begun complying. As of Friday, September 29, 2023, Apple has required developers to submit their Internet Content Provider (ICP) filing when submitting new apps.
China has allowed a grace period for developers to comply, but for new apps that ended in September 2023. Existing apps have until March 2024.
Those existing apps of course include social media ones. With China banning, for instance, Facebook online, it's unlikely that the country's regulators will issue a licence for its app.
Malcolm Owen
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11 Comments
“…but at Apple, we believe privacy is a fundamental human right.”
’Oh, except over here…’
Incoming counterarguments about ‘Apple’s a business and has to operate within the laws of the countries it’s in.” I agree, but don’t say one thing and do another. Your values are your values. Otherwise, it’s just a tagline.
Of course it's just a tagline, come on now. Apple is a business, and like any business—whether my 1 person shop or a massive multinational like Apple—the goal is to make money. Anything that comes out of the maw of its marketing machine should be considered a highly flexible platitude designed to mollify one audience or another into spending more money.
China is a massive market for Apple, as has been reported on this very website. There's no way they're going to put a profit center like that at risk.
Apple's responsibility is to the shareholders, not the users. If anything looks like a benefit for users, it's because it's also a benefit to the shareholders.
Hypocrisy thy name is Apple.