Short answer
The 2023 MIIT notice says an engaged in internet information services within China must complete app filing and may not provide those services without it. The filing work covers mobile apps, mini-programs, and quick apps. The sponsor files with its provincial communications administration through its network access service provider or app ; an app-store listing is not the filing. After receiving complete and accurate materials, the provincial communications administration completes the filing within 20 working days, issues a filing number, and publishes the filing information.
The MIIT notice moved existing apps through a September 2023 to March 2024 filing phase and entered normalized work in July 2024. Those transition dates have passed. A new covered app now files before service begins, and the sponsor files changes or cancellation with the original filing authority when the recorded information changes.
comes from the Mobile Internet Application Information Service Management Provisions, which took effect on 1 August 2022 and apply separately to app information services and distribution services provided within China. Covered information services include examples such as instant messaging, news, knowledge question-and-answer services, forums, livestreaming, e-commerce, online audiovisual services, and life services. An must maintain content, data-security, personal-information, minors, complaint, vulnerability, and incident controls as applicable to its service. A regulated service such as internet news requires the relevant licence, while a new technology, application, or function with public-opinion attributes or social-mobilization capacity requires the applicable .
A has distinct duties: it must file with its provincial cyberspace authority within 30 days after going online, authenticate app providers, verify relevant permits or assessments, review apps and updates, manage listed apps, and keep enforcement records. That platform filing is not a CAC filing imposed on every individual .
does not prove CAC-rule or privacy compliance. The rule on also prevents an app from denying its basic function merely because a user refuses personal information that is not necessary for that function. Determine the app category and basic function before setting required fields or permissions.
States that app sponsors providing internet information services in China must complete filing, identifies filing channels and app forms, and bars unfiled apps from providing those services.
Articles 5-17 and 19-22 set provider and distribution-platform duties, including the platform's provincial filing within 30 days after launch, provider verification, app review, data and privacy controls, complaints, and records.
Defines basic functions and necessary personal information by common app category and bars refusal of the basic function solely because a user declines non-necessary personal information.