People's Posts and Telecommunications News:

Over the years, mobile internet users have paid more and more attention to user experience. What efforts did the MIIT make in 2021 to protect users' rights and interests and improve relevant services? What new measures will be taken this year? Thank you.

Xiao Yaqing:

Thank you for your questions. With the rapid development of the mobile internet, people find it increasingly difficult to live and work without cellphones and mobile internet. In 2021, we played our part in the nationwide campaign which aims to bring tangible benefits to the public and worked to improve all aspects that affect user experience. We continuously enhanced the quality of services, strengthened personal information protection, and earnestly protected users' rights and interests. We mainly solved problems concerning the management of mobile apps and the senior-friendly transformation of apps and websites. In terms of mobile app management, many problems were reported. By taking a set of measures such as formulating standard testing techniques, launching special regulatory campaigns, and the self-regulation of industries, we managed to crack down on apps violating regulations regarding collecting and using personal information, as well as pop-ups and other behaviors that violate users' rights and interests. We all found it very difficult to close out pop-ups. In 2021, we tested 2.08 million mobile apps. A total of 1,549 regulation-violating apps were notified and the 514 apps that refused to make corrections were removed from app stores. After rectification, these apps will provide better services for users. In terms of elderly-friendly transformation, a total of 227 websites and apps have completed transformation and introduced functions such as font enhancer, voice guidance, and one-click customer service connection, to name a few. We also provide guidance for digital product companies and let them support the design and production of elderly-friendly digital products.

Of course, our work in this regard will not stop here, and we will continue making efforts this year.

First, we will focus on users' rights and interests and strengthen comprehensive management. We will continuously pay attention to various violations reported by users and carry out further regulatory work on mobile apps. We will implement all-around supervision on various aspects concerning mobile internet services. Our supervision work will mainly cover three fields. These include various end products such as cellphones and tablets, key participants along the accountability chain such as app stores, third-party software development kits and pre-installed apps, and the technical test of mobile apps. By doing so, we aim to comprehensively safeguard users' rights and interests.

Second, we will focus on services and meet users' expectations. We will work to enhance the capacity of personal information protection and urge major internet companies to set up customer helplines and respond to customers' requests.

Third, we will focus on key groups of users and promote the inclusiveness of information services. We will organize more mobile apps and websites and carry out elderly-friendly and barrier-free transformation and improvement, and work to introduce a group of model projects accordingly.

Fourth, we will focus on developing long-term mechanisms and form synergy among our work. Centering on key aspects such as mobile internet services and personal information protection, we will further improve both incentive and accountability mechanisms, strengthen technical methods, and encourage companies to improve their services and other capacities. Thank you.