China stresses app obligations in information security

BEIJING -- Mobile app providers must fulfill "six obligations" when operating in China, including requiring real-name registration and preserving records of their users' activity for at least two months, a new regulation has made clear.

Firstly, app providers must verify users' identities by requiring mobile phone numbers or other information, according to the regulation released by the Cyberspace Administration of China on Tuesday.

Secondly, they should protect users' information and cannot use the information without the users' consent.

Thirdly, the providers should improve their censorship and punish anyone releasing illicit information through warnings, suspension of service or shutting down accounts, the regulation said.

Under Chinese law, online rumormongers and those who promote extremism or terrorism can face prison sentences.

Fourthly,they must inform users of their rights and are forbidden from collecting users' location information and reading their contacts stealthily.

Fifthly, mobile app providers are banned from pirating others' products.

Lastly, they are asked to record user logs and preserve the information for at least 60 days, the regulation said.