China’s Ministry of Public Security has ordered 100 mobile apps offline until they resolve user privacy concerns, business news outlet Caixin reported Wednesday, citing a recent report from a domestic cybersecurity NGO.
The apps of several banks and e-commerce platforms, as well as the New York-listed real estate platform Fang.com, were among the lengthy list. Possible violations included vague user agreements and unnecessary collecting of user data, according to the report by the National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team/Coordination Center of China, the NGO.
Since 2017, Chinese apps have repeatedly come under fire from both the authorities and the public for over-collecting or mishandling user data, including photos, chat messages, location data, and personal information.
In May, the Cyberspace Administration of China introduced a draft regulation aimed at curbing the dubious practices of data-grubbing apps. That proposal was part of a wider internet cleanup campaign that resulted in dozens of websites being blocked and thousands of social media accounts being shut down. (Image: VCG)