China orders Tencent apps to undergo 7 days review: report

SHANGHAI, November 24, Reuters -- China requires Tencent Holdings to submit any new apps or updates for inspections before they can be uploaded, after a number of its apps were found to have committed violations, Chinese financial media outlet Yicai reported on Wednesday.

Yicai, citing unnamed sources, said the Chinese social media and gaming giant had been required to do so by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology MIIT after some of its apps were found to have infringed users' rights and interests.

According to a notice issued by MIIT, all mobile apps and their updates will have to undergo a seven day long review before they can be uploaded to app stores.

Tencent said its apps remained functional and available for download in response to Yicai's and other local media reports.

We are constantly working to improve user protection features within our apps, and have regular cooperation with government agencies to ensure regulatory compliance. The company said that the apps are functional and available for download.

Chinese regulators have tried to dismantle some of the industry's long-held practices over the past year after accusing them of monopolistic behaviour and infringing user rights.

This included a step up in checks on mobile apps by regulators. On November 3, MIIT ordered 38 apps from companies, including those of Tencent, to correct the excessive collection of personal information.