September 13, 2022

Rules for China Apps to Collect Personal Data of Users

【Posted on: 2020 December】

Mobile applications have been widely used in recent years and have played an important role in society. However, it is common for Apps to collect personal data of users beyond the necessary parameters. In the event of non consent by users, app installation and usage will not be allowed. At present, the population of Chinese netizens has reached 940 million, and the protection of personal information has become the primary concern of users. To regulate the personal information collection behaviour of apps, public opinion was seeked and the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), proposed that 38 common type of apps, such as map navigation, online car-hailing, and instant messaging, are allowed to collect necessary personal information. Apps such as live streaming, short video, etc. are only allowed to obtain basic functions excluding personal data. For example:

Map navigation:

Basic functional services: Positioning and navigation.
Necessary personal information: Location information

Browser category:

Basic function service: Web browsing history
Necessary personal information: Basic functional services can be used without personal information

Beauty Camera category:

Basic functional services: Photography, beauty, filters, etc.
Necessary personal information: Basic functional services can be used without personal information

Full list

This measure protects personal information, but it also illustrates the importance of data. It is challenging for brand owners to use basic data of the media platforms to accurately target user groups as such information will eventually be worthless.

So how do you leverage unique & hard to come by data to offer a complete suite of solutions to enable you to succeed in China? Contact us!