Apple is implementing changes to its App Store rules as China tightens grip

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has implemented a new requirement for app developers wishing to release their apps on the China App Store, Reuters reported Tuesday.

Starting recently, Apple now mandates that new apps must provide proof of a Chinese government license before they can be published on its platform. This move aligns Apple with local competitors that had already adopted this policy years ago to comply with China's increasingly strict regulatory environment.

The requirement specifically asks app developers to submit an "internet content provider (ICP) filing" when publishing new apps on the App Store in China. The ICP filing is a well-established registration system in China, necessary for websites to operate legally within the country.

Many local app stores, including those operated by Tencent and Huawei, have adhered to this requirement since at least 2017.

Obtaining an ICP filing license typically involves having a presence in China or collaborating with a local publisher. This requirement has posed challenges for numerous foreign app developers.

Apple had previously maintained a more lenient approach to ICP filings, which allowed it to offer a more extensive selection of mobile apps compared to local rivals. This approach contributed to Apple's popularity in China, which is its third-largest market, following the Americas and Europe.

This change in Apple's policy is a response to China's increased regulatory scrutiny of mobile apps. In August, China introduced a new rule mandating that all app stores and app developers submit an "app filing" containing business details to regulators.

By Senad Karaahmetovic

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