The forced download of app, which is deeply hated by netizens, may gradually become history.
On March 3, the Ministry of industry and information technology announced that recently, some netizens and media reported that some websites were forced to download app when users browse page information. The information and communication administration of the Ministry of industry and information technology attached great importance to this, immediately organized verification, and recently held an administrative guidance meeting to urge relevant Internet enterprises to make rectification.
Among them, the meeting requires that when users browse the content of the page, they shall not automatically or forcibly download the app without the user’s consent or active selection; When it is recommended to download the app, obvious “Cancel” options should be provided simultaneously to effectively protect the user’s right to know and choose. Without reasonable and justifiable reasons, users shall not be required not to download the app or not to see the full text.
Xiao Yaqing, Minister of industry and information technology, said recently that the Ministry of industry and information technology will focus on the rights and interests of users and strengthen comprehensive management. Continue to pay attention to various violations reported by users, carry out in-depth app rectification, and conduct full chain and full coverage supervision on many links involved in mobile Internet servicesp align=”center” style=”text-align:center;”> (screenshot source: Ministry of industry and information technology)
Ministry of industry and information technology requires Internet enterprises
rectify the problem of forced app download
On March 3, the Ministry of industry and information technology announced that the website was forced to download app for the websites reflected by netizens and the media. The information and communication administration of the Ministry of industry and information technology attached great importance to this, immediately organized verification, and recently held an administrative guidance meeting to urge relevant Internet enterprises to make rectification.
The meeting pointed out that with the rapid development of mobile Internet, various apps are booming, providing users with rich application services. However, some information, online communities and other websites frequently pop up the app when users browse the web page, requiring users to download the app to view the full text, and they can’t read comments without the app, which hinders users from using the web page to browse information, infringes on users’ legitimate rights and interests, and the masses have a strong reaction.
The meeting required that relevant Internet enterprises should adhere to the people-centered development idea, strictly abide by the requirements of relevant laws and regulations, always take safeguarding users’ rights and interests and improving service experience as the foundation to win users, conduct self-examination and self correction, establish implementation and reform, and resolutely correct existing problems.
The meeting put forward three requirements when users browse the page content:
First, the app cannot be downloaded automatically or forcibly without the user’s consent or active selection; When it is recommended to download the app, obvious “Cancel” options should be provided simultaneously to effectively protect the user’s right to know and choose.
Second, without reasonable and justifiable reasons, users should not be asked not to download the app or not to see the full text.
Third, it is not allowed to force or mislead users to download, open app or jump to app store by folding display, active pop-up window, frequent prompt and reducing experience, which will affect users’ normal browsing of information.
Relevant Internet companies said they would earnestly implement relevant requirements, conduct comprehensive self-examination and rectification, operate in accordance with the law, improve services, enhance user experience, and jointly create a mobile Internet application environment that makes the people feel at ease and satisfied. The information and communication administration of the Ministry of industry and information technology has made it clear that it will continue to pay attention to the problems reflected by users, strengthen app monitoring and testing, guide and urge Internet enterprises to effectively safeguard the rights and interests of users.
forced app download continues despite repeated prohibitions
On February 11, some netizens left a message on People.Cn Co.Ltd(603000) leaders’ message board saying that when browsing content with mobile browser, some applications often pop up the window of recommending app. For example, when using apple Safari browser, Baidu will recommend downloading app for browsing, and Baidu Post Bar must also download app to browse all comments, I hope the government can rectify this behavior.
The Ministry of industry and information technology subsequently responded that it would conduct in-depth research and pay attention to it according to the next work arrangement to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of users.
In fact, with regard to the problem of forced downloading of app, the Interim Provisions on the preset and distribution management of mobile intelligent terminal application software issued by the Ministry of industry and information technology as early as 2016 proposed that mobile intelligent terminal application software provided by manufacturers and Internet information service providers should not call terminal functions unrelated to the services provided and illegally send commercial electronic information; Without express and consent of the user, it is not allowed to collect and use the user’s personal information, open application software, bundle and promote other application software and other acts that infringe on the user’s legitimate rights and interests or endanger network security.
However, even though the Ministry of industry and information technology continues to strengthen the supervision of Internet enterprises’ infringement on users’ rights and interests, in recent years, the phenomenon of forced download of app is still common on the Internet. In the first batch of APP Circular on infringement on users’ rights and interests in 2022 recently notified by the Ministry of industry and information technology, “Compulsory, frequent and excessive request for authority by app” is still a common issue in the notificationp align=”center” style=”text-align:center;”> (screenshot source: Ministry of industry and information technology)
MIIT: will continue to pay attention to various violations reported by users
In recent years, the Ministry of information services has paid more and more attention to the improvement of users’ perception of the use of the Internet. At the same time, the Ministry of information services has paid more and more attention to the improvement of users’ rights and interests in the past 28 years. It mainly solves the problems of APP governance and aging transformation.
According to Xiao Yaqing, there are many problems in app governance. The Ministry of industry and information technology vigorously combats violations of users’ rights and interests such as illegal collection and use of personal information and pop-up harassment by formulating standards, technical inspection, special rectification, industry self-discipline and other measures. Last year, the Ministry of industry and information technology detected a total of 2.08 million apps, notified 1549 illegal apps, and removed 514 apps that refused to rectify.
In terms of aging transformation, the Ministry of industry and information technology organized 227 websites and apps to complete the transformation, and launched a variety of distinctive functions such as font amplification, voice guidance and “one click direct manual customer service” to guide terminal enterprises to provide support for the design and production services of aging smart terminal products.
“Of course, this work is endless, and we will continue to do well this year.” Xiao Yaqing said that the Ministry of industry and information technology will focus on the rights and interests of users and strengthen comprehensive management. Continue to pay attention to various violations reported by users, carry out in-depth app rectification, and conduct full chain and full coverage supervision on many links involved in mobile Internet services. It mainly realizes three “full coverage”: that is, full coverage of mobile phones and tablet terminals; Full coverage of key responsibility chain links such as application store, third-party software development kit, preset and pre installed; Full coverage of APP technology testing, so that users’ rights and interests can be fully protected.
According to the information and communication industry development plan of the 14th five year plan previously issued by the Ministry of industry and information technology, the Ministry of industry and information technology will promote the improvement of laws, regulations and standards related to personal information protection, establish a whole chain supervision system covering Internet information service providers, application stores, network access service providers, third-party service providers and mobile phone terminal manufacturers, and build government supervision Comprehensive supervision pattern with the participation of enterprise self-discipline, media supervision, social organizations and users.
