China's MIIT Identifies 17 Apps and SDKs for User Rights Violations

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has announced that 17 applications and Software Development Kits (SDKs) have been found to violate user rights. The violations primarily involve the illegal collection and use of personal information, as identified through random inspections by third-party testing agencies.

The ministry stated that several apps, distributed through various app stores and including mini-programs, were collecting data in violation of regulations. Issues cited include information windows that could not be closed, apps that excessively demanded permissions or used personal information inappropriately, and those forcing users into targeted advertising functions. Certain SDKs used by app developers were also identified for similar transgressions.

These actions are part of a wider national initiative aimed at strengthening the protection of personal information in the digital realm. The campaign is jointly conducted by multiple government bodies, including the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Ministry of Public Security, in accordance with laws such as the Personal Information Protection Law and the Cybersecurity Law.

The MIIT has not detailed specific penalties for the identified apps and SDKs, but previous cases of similar violations have led to requirements for corrective actions, potentially including removal from app distribution platforms.