Starting today, smartphone app providers in China are required to follow new regulations issued by the Cyberspace Administration to safeguard the personal information of consumers.

Among the rules stipulated in the new regulations is for app providers to verify users' identities using cellphone numbers or other personal information but that these information should not be used in any way by the app providers without consent from the user.

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The new rules, which took effect on 01 August, require smartphone application providers to have real-name registration for users and to establish a system to review content.

To safeguard consumers' personal information, the new regulations also require app providers to properly inform consumers of their rights. The providers are also banned from pirating other companies' products.

The Cyberspace Administration also requires app providers to tighten censorship controls and impose punishment on anyone releasing illicit information, such as warnings and suspensions of services.

As of the end of 2015, China had 688 million internet users and authorities said the new regulations will help ensure that the rights and personal information of these users will be protected once they download apps.

The administration said that while apps offer convenience, they are also used for spreading violence, terrorism, rumors and pornography, as well as for fraud.

"That is why it is urgent to regulate the app market to protect users' interests," an unnamed official with the administration was quoted as saying in a statement.

More than 4 million apps are available on domestic app stores.

Analysts said the imposition of the new rules will allow smartphone app providers to have more responsibility to verify users' registration and information. In the past, problems were solved case by case because there was no app rules.

Tagschina smartphone, China Smartphone Apps, China Apps