iPhone apps in China require government licenses

Since last week, Apple has started requiring app developers to submit an “Internet Content Provider (ICP) profile” when they want to list new apps on the Chinese App Store. ICP profiles are required for websites to operate legally in the country. Apple’s rivals Huawei and Tencent have implemented the program since 2017.

Chinese customers line up to buy iPhone 15 on September 22. (Photo: Reuters)

First announced in August 2023, China’s new rules require all developers to prove they have a company or are affiliated with a company registered here, a major obstacle for foreign businesses.

On September 29, the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple executives had met with Chinese authorities in recent months. Officials asked the US company to strictly enforce its app management rules, banning unregistered foreign apps. The change is aimed at reducing cases of online fraud, pornography and other illegal content.

Beijing has always kept a tight rein on Western social media, but their apps are still accessible through its app stores. The new rules will affect companies like X, WhatsApp, and Facebook. Chinese users currently use VPNs to bypass the firewall, and the government wants to close that loophole.

More than 1,000 foreign apps that have not been registered on the App Store could be targeted. They need to be removed to comply with Chinese regulations. It would also have some impact on Apple’s revenue, as it offers more apps than its domestic rivals.

China is the third largest market for Apple, after the US and Europe, contributing $15.7 billion of the $81.8 billion in third-quarter revenue.

Last week, Chinese authorities announced the names of the first mobile app stores to complete ICP filings, but Apple was not on the list.

(According to Investopedia)

Apple-China relations continue to deteriorate with new app management regulations Apple expressed concerns that the Chinese government's app store management regulations will negatively impact users.

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