China wants to control what apps citizens use. But will Google play ball?
Google is mulling a new way to finally get its official Play Store through the Great Firewall of China. But it faces an uphill battle, as the country tightens its grip on what apps its citizens have on their smartphones.
The Informationreports that Netease, China's second-largest games firm, has approached Google to form a joint venture, in order to launch the Play Store in the world's largest smartphone market.
SEE ALSO:WeChat beats Google to the punch, releases apps that don't need downloading or installingThis follows rumours from 2015 that Google was working on a China-only version of its Play Store, in order to comply with regulators.
Google has in recent years attempted to re-enter the Chinese market, after it famously clashed with Chinese regulators over the country's censorship practices.
Google would later exit China in 2010, after it detected a series of cyberattacks that it pinned on the Chinese government. The administration did not officially claim responsibility, however.
With Android phone usage soaring in China and Google's web properties geo-blocked, most users in China instead turn to third party app stores. Many of these carry copies of Play Store apps -- and malicious versions sneak onboard, at times.
In January, the Cyberspace Administration of China said these app stores would need to register officially, to curb illegal activities such as copyright infringement and fraud.
Enforcement of the rule is steadily rolling out across the country. On Wednesday, Shanghai announced its registration system, reported official state-run press.
But the registration process is also rankling foreign app stores, which worry about China's ever-increasing censorship practices. In January, the New York TimesiPhone app was pulled from Apple's App Store. Authorities reportedly worked only with Apple, and the paper only found out about the removal when it happened.
Under the new registration rules, app stores will have to log user activity for 60 days, and will be required to police the store for "illegal content."
Mashablehas reached out to Apple, Google and NetEase for further.
Featured Video For You
Google Earth Timelapse shows how man has altered the planet in 32 years
TopicsApps & SoftwareGoogle
-
Klarna CEO reveals plan to reduce workforce by 50% and replace it with AIMuslim women call out Donald Trump with #CanYouHearUsNow名山 小游戏调动大热情Spain put on five水产品占“四席”!广州南沙十个农产品上榜“国字号”市中级人民法院加强廉政教育 筑牢拒腐防变防线Amazon Prime Day deal: Save $40 on XREAL Air AR glassesTeens say they're painting a sunset, but the truth is much worsePrime exclusive deal: $50 off Govee floor lamp来广州,到和美乡村过大年
- ·Ruling bloc divided on foreign nannies' pay
- ·Best Prime Day unlocked cell phone deals: Samsung Galaxy foldable phones, renewed iPhones, more
- ·易怒 暴躁 说说更年期女性应注意的问题
- ·Tesla cuts prices of Model 3 and Model Y again
- ·How much for Oasis tickets? Fans joke about splurging on reunion shows
- ·气温骤降 要注意防寒保暖哦
- ·N. Korea steps up events for Armed Forces Day
- ·How to use Bing Image Creator with DALL
- ·U.S. Senators call on FTC to investigate the security of drivers' data
- ·雨城区:前期工作基本就绪 22个项目月底前集中开工
- ·Elon Musk strips headlines Twitter/X links because he didn't like how they looked
- ·2023年省级农产品质量安全例行监测合格率98.9%
- ·Trump trials: Jack Smith is reportedly reconsidering his strategy.
- ·This soccer club shut down homophobia with 1 resounding word
- ·Best Prime Day unlocked cell phone deals: Samsung Galaxy foldable phones, renewed iPhones, more
- ·雨城区:前期工作基本就绪 22个项目月底前集中开工
- ·23 Peculiar Places of 2023
- ·贴“财神”祭祖先 那些正在逝去的年俗
- ·消失40年的动物回来了
- ·气温骤降 要注意防寒保暖哦
- ·First officially approved Gen IV nuclear reactor in the US breaks ground
- ·元宵节撞上情人节 消费市场最热闹
- ·Here's why your Instagram and Facebook feeds are looking bare this morning
- ·Tottenham Hotspur name Jose Mourinho as manager
- ·New Grok response directs users to Vote.gov for election questions
- ·Summit puts NK denuclearization back on track, eases cross
- ·World’s first ‘meltdown
- ·贴“财神”祭祖先 那些正在逝去的年俗
- ·黄连素不能代替降血糖药
- ·Summit puts NK denuclearization back on track, eases cross
- ·South Korean lawmakers brace for US election as Harris, Trump diverge on North Korea
- ·四季有花,“打工人”的阳台可以美成什么样
- ·Cryptocurrency exchange loses $400 million worth of coins in massive NEM hack
- ·Swine flu sweeps N. Korea
- ·Elon Musk's AI facility is reportedly operating gas turbines without a permit
- ·Best Echo Show 5 deal: Save $50 on the Echo Show 5 (3rd gen, 2023) at Amazon