China bans over 3000 illegal and vulgar apps

A total of 3,469 apps that involve pornography, gambling, fraud, privacy theft, malicious fee charging or illegal games have been banned.

They've been banned in accordance with laws and regulations in a campaign targeting illegal and vulgar apps, the Cyberspace Administration of China said on Friday.

The campaign was launched by the administration and other related government departments in response to outcry from internet users about illegal, irregular and indecent apps, according to a statement from the administration.

Some of the banned live-streaming apps broadcasted nude shows and pornographic videos in exchange for users' money, while others shared users' information with third parties.

A number of the apps contained malicious software that can control users' terminals remotely or cheat them out of money, the statement said.

Such apps have a negative influence on society and must be treated with strict sanctions to protect the interests of internet users, the statement said, quoting an official in the administration.

The administration recently summoned executives from 28 app stores, social network websites and cloud service companies and requested them to improve their oversight, conduct internal disciplining and clean illegal apps, the statement said, noting that representatives from these businesses have pledged to cooperate with government and fulfill their duties.

There are now more than 4.8 million apps available to Chinese users, according to the administration.