Apple demands government license for apps in China from developers

Developers who want to put apps in the Chinese App Store now need a government license. Apple has started enforcing that law. It is unknown whether Apple will also comply with other rules.

Since last Friday, developers who want to release new apps have been required to have an ‘internet content provider filing’ for publication in the App Store. reports Reuters news agency. The Chinese government must issue that license. Until now, this was not mandatory in the App Store, but the Chinese government tightened the rules in August. The law applies to new apps from last month and to existing apps from March. As a result, developers must be Chinese or enter into a partnership with a Chinese company.

Because Android download stores have been enforcing the license for much longer, there were more apps in the App Store in China than in local alternatives. It is unknown whether many apps will disappear from the Chinese App Store. Another rule of the law is that providers of download stores must host them in China itself. It is unknown whether Apple will comply. Apple declined to comment on the matter.