<p>China unveiled draft guidelines on Thursday seeking to limit the scope of mobile apps' collection of personal data in the latest attempt to curb the sprawling technology sector.</p>

<p>The set of draft rules published by the Cyberspace Administration of China covers 38 types of apps from online shopping and instant messaging to ride-hailing and bike-sharing.</p>

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<p>China has increased scrutiny of its technology sector in recent weeks, last month drafting anti-monopoly rules for tech firms.</p>

<p>It has also expressed concerns about data protection and consumer rights, while authorities have on a number of occasions ordered apps to be suspended for mishandling user information.</p>

<p>"In recent years, mobile internet applications have been widely used and have played an important role in promoting economic and social development and serving people's livelihoods," the cyber administration said in a statement.</p>

<p>"At the same time, it is common for apps to collect ... personal information beyond their scope, and users cannot install and use them if they refuse to agree."</p>

<p>For ride-hailing apps, the draft rules regard a user's phone number, or other personal identity information, as well as their location and destination, as falling within the scope of the required information.</p>

<p>Online payment apps, meanwhile, need the registered user's phone number or other ID information, as well as the bank card numbers of both payer and payee, according to the draft rules, which are open to public feedback until December&nbsp;16.</p>


China unveiled draft guidelines on Thursday seeking to limit the scope of mobile apps' collection of personal data in the latest attempt to curb the sprawling technology sector.

China unveiled draft guidelines on Thursday seeking to limit the scope of mobile apps' collection of personal data in the latest attempt to curb the sprawling technology sector. The set of draft rules published by the Cyberspace Administration of China covers 38 types of apps from online shopping and instant messaging to ride-hailing and bike-sharing. China has increased scrutiny of its technology sector in recent weeks, last month drafting anti-monopoly rules for tech firms. It has also expressed concerns about data protection and consumer rights, while authorities have on a number of occasions ordered apps to be suspended for mishandling user information. "In recent years, mobile internet applications have been widely used and have played an important role in promoting economic and social development and serving people's livelihoods," the cyber administration said in a statement. "At the same time, it is common for apps to collect ... personal information beyond their scope, and users cannot install and use them if they refuse to agree." For ride-hailing apps, the draft rules regard a user's phone number, or other personal identity information, as well as their location and destination, as falling within the scope of the required information. Online payment apps, meanwhile, need the registered user's phone number or other ID information, as well as the bank card numbers of both payer and payee, according to the draft rules, which are open to public feedback until December 16.

China unveils guidelines on mobile apps' collection of personal data

<p>Beijing has unveiled a global data security push which aims at establishing global standards on data security.</p>

<p>It is from the same country which is the biggest threat to data security, otherwise why else would India ban 224 Chinese apps and US, Australia and the UK close their doors on Huawei.</p>

<p>Washington is also launching a "Clean Network" program which aims at making the market against free Chinese technology. At least 30 countries have reportedly joined the initiative.</p>

<p>Therefore, what China is doing is countering the global boycott of Chinese tech and painting itself as the torch bearer of data security.</p>

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<p>Beijing's data security push has eight points, each more ironical than the other. China is asking companies to not steal data from other countries using technology, China also wants tech companies to stop obtaining user data illegally.</p>

<p>China says its initiative opposes mass surveillance of other countries using technology.</p>

<p>Beijing says the countries signing up to the data security push should avoid asking companies to provide data without permission.</p>

<p>China's national intelligence law requires companies to hand over data when asked, "support, assist and cooperate with the state intelligence work," it says.</p>

<p>The irony-laden initiative was announced by China's foreign minister Wang Yi. The Chinese foreign minister took the opportunity to criticise Washington.</p>

<p>"Countries are using security as a pretext to prey on enterprises of other countries," he said.</p>

<p>Wang went on to declare that "such blatant acts of bullying must be opposed and rejected".<br />
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Beijing has unveiled a global data security push which aims at establishing global standards on data security. It is from the same country which is the biggest threat to data security, otherwise why else would India ban 224 Chinese apps and US, Australia and the UK close their doors on Huawei.

Beijing has unveiled a global data security push which aims at establishing global standards on data security. It is from the same country which is the biggest threat to data security, otherwise why else would India ban 224 Chinese apps and US, Australia and the UK close their doors on Huawei. Washington is also launching a "Clean Network" program which aims at making the market against free Chinese technology. At least 30 countries have reportedly joined the initiative. Therefore, what China is doing is countering the global boycott of Chinese tech and painting itself as the torch bearer of data security. × Beijing's data security push has eight points, each more ironical than the other. China is asking companies to not steal data from other countries using technology, China also wants tech companies to stop obtaining user data illegally. China says its initiative opposes mass surveillance of other countries using technology. Beijing says the countries signing up to the data security push should avoid asking companies to provide data without permission. China's national intelligence law requires companies to hand over data when asked, "support, assist and cooperate with the state intelligence work," it says. The irony-laden initiative was announced by China's foreign minister Wang Yi. The Chinese foreign minister took the opportunity to criticise Washington. "Countries are using security as a pretext to prey on enterprises of other countries," he said. Wang went on to declare that "such blatant acts of bullying must be opposed and rejected".

Now, China spearheads global data security push

Irony died a slow death today when China launched a global initiative on data security. The question is: Who is joining the Chinese initiative?

Gravitas: China's global data security push