Apple's App Store is missing from the list of mobile storefronts filing with China's CAC under new rules

China's cyberspace regulator released the names of the first batch of mobile app stores that have completed filing business details with regulators on Wednesday, indicating that it has begun to enforce new rules that expand its oversight of mobile apps.

According to the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), a total of 26 app shops owned by businesses such as Tencent, Huawei, Ant Group, Baidu, Xiaomi, and Samsung have filed with the government.

Apple's App Store is not among the app shops on the list. Apple did not react quickly to Reuters' request for comment.

Over the last few years, Beijing has increased its monitoring of smartphone and mobile app usage. The government now mandates mobile app shops and mobile applications to provide business information to the country.

These laws have caused so much concern in the business that releasing applications in the world's second largest economy will become extremely difficult, and many apps may have to be removed.

The CAC published a new guideline in June last year requiring app retailers to report company data and warned it would hold app stores accountable if applications included unlawful content, highlighting Beijing's intention to tighten surveillance over apps.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued another notice in August this year requiring mobile apps to finish filing by the end of March.

Reuters reported earlier this month that app shops controlled by corporations such as Tencent and Huawei have begun insisting that apps on their app stores conform with the new guidelines.

Apple has not said how its Chinese app store would comply with Beijing's new requirements. According to experts, Apple's compliance might result in the removal of tens of thousands of programs from Apple's App Store in China.

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