By Star Chang, posted May 9, 2012 at 3:18 AM, 740 views,

China Authorities Intends to Ban Google Mobile Apps ?

Last week Chinese media reported that the government has banned mobile manufacturers from installing Google applications on the mobile devices. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) quickly denied the rumors. The announcement came after reports by a number of major news websites in China, citing an note on the official website of a Shenzhen-based mobile service provider. The authorities said they have never delivered an order to ban the usage of Google logo and applications on mobile terminal products. The online news was not the truth …

A Shenzhen-based mobile service provider has posted a note on their official website regarding the the banned of Chinese mobile manufacturers from installing Google’s applications on the mobile devices. Some Chinese internet user caught up the news and spread it on social network. The mainstream media followed up the news and the authorities just need to clarify the matter.

Main point translated from the note:

“Notice from the China Testing Alliance (CTA) shows that the MIIT has delivered new announcement on the usage of Google (product). Since May 3, 2012, all the mobile terminal products are not allowed to have Google logo and related applications, or it will not be subjected to administrative approvals …”

The launch of new mobile devices in China need go through three administrative approvals, including one from the China Testing Alliance. The Shenzhen-based firm is an agency that provides consulting services to the mobile manufacturers. Some Chinese journalists have confirmed the hearsay with some of these mobile developers. A Chinese app developer told the local media that one of his business partners has also received such a notice. They are now considering the use of other map application instead of Google Map, which has brought about extra workload.

The official website of the Shenzhen-based mobile service provider became unavailable since the news broke out. The website said in an announcement condemning itself as posting fake news and claiming to shut down the website to make improvements. The Android operating system occupied more than 50 percent of the Chinese smartphone market. We do believe the Chinese authorities are eyeing on the mobile territory which Google has been dominated. Since most of the google internet services are banned on the PC platform in China, it is no surprise to see the same move to be applied on mobile phones. In China, casual mobile phone user will only use what is pre-installed by the mobile manufacturers. To boycott google mobile apps, the best solution is to control the hardware makers.

SOURCE: ZDnet, MyDrivers.com, YNET.com (Chinese translated)