Apple Implements New Requirement for Chinese App Store, Strengthening Compliance

Apple has recently announced a significant change in its policy for the China App Store, requiring new apps to provide proof of a Chinese government license before their release. This move aligns Apple with local rivals who have already adopted this practice to comply with tightening state regulations. The company now mandates app developers to submit an “internet content provider (ICP) filing” when publishing new apps on its App Store.

The ICP filing is a long-standing registration system required for websites to operate legally in China. Most local app stores, including Tencent and Huawei, have implemented this requirement since 2017. However, obtaining an ICP filing license has been challenging for many foreign apps due to the necessity of having a company in China or partnering with a local publisher.

Apple’s previous loose ICP policy allowed the company to offer a more extensive range of mobile apps compared to its local competitors. This approach contributed to the U.S. tech giant’s popularity in China, which is its third-largest market globally, following the Americas and Europe.

The decision to implement this new requirement comes as China has recently tightened its oversight over mobile apps. In August, the country introduced a new rule mandating all app stores and developers to submit an “app filing” containing business details to regulators. While the Chinese regulators have already released the names of the first batch of mobile app stores that have completed app filings, Apple’s App Store was not included in the list.

Apple’s compliance status could impact the accessibility of hundreds of thousands of apps on its China App Store, including popular foreign apps like X (formerly known as Twitter) and Telegram, which gained popularity during protests against COVID-19 lockdowns last year.

Additionally, Apple has been facing other challenges in China, including some government agencies banning employees from using iPhones due to security concerns. Demanding ICP filings from developers brings Apple closer to full compliance in China, according to Rich Bishop, CEO of app publishing firm AppInChina.

However, some developers have expressed concerns about Apple’s decision, fearing that it may lead to further tightening of rules to comply fully with China’s regulations. Independent developer Jinyu Meng stated on X, “If my apps can’t be launched in China without app filing, I will take down my apps [there].”

As per the new rule, apps without proper filings will face penalties after the grace period, which ends in March next year. Newly developed apps are required to comply with the rule starting from September.

This development highlights Apple’s commitment to aligning with Chinese regulations and demonstrates its willingness to adapt its policies to meet the evolving requirements of the Chinese market.