(ECNS) – China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has announced that preinstalled apps in cell phones should be deletable.
On November 19, the MIIT began seeking consultation for a temporary provision regarding the pre-installation and distribution of mobile apps.
The provision states that mobile phone producers and related service providers are prohibited from preinstalling and promoting useless apps, taking users' personal information without consent, and mandatorily opening apps or sending commercial messages.
The provision stresses that preinstalled apps, unless they're necessary for the functioning of phones, should be removable without affecting the use of the phone, and that they won't be recovered when the system upgrades.
The MIIT said it will warn and fine manufacturers that disobey the rules and make the information open to the public.
