Smartphone app rules  

The State Internet Information Office is planning to introduce regulations to supervise the development of smartphone apps, according to a conference which included local Internet information office directors in Beijing, The Beijing News reported Sunday.

The rapid development of the smartphone market had spurred the app development industry in recent years. However, security issues such as smartphone viruses spread via apps or illegal prying into private information have aroused public concern, said experts at the conference.

Zhu Wei, a research fellow with the China University of Political Science and Law, told The Beijing News that it is necessary to better regulate smartphone app development as the entry thresholds for the industry are low and this caused security problems such as the improper collection of users' information.

Lu Wei, head of the State Internet Information Office, said during another conference Saturday that China will strengthen Internet legislation.

Beijing is also planning to introduce related regulations for the app industry, said Tong Liqiang, director of the Beijing Internet Information Office.