“Regulators ordered China’s app developers and third-party service providers to halt illegal collection and use of personal data in a sweep targeting some of the country’s largest apps,” reports TechNode.com.

“The latest crackdown signals the government’s determination to clean up unauthorized data collection from any and every company violating data privacy laws, particularly bigger players.”

“The platforms have until Nov. 10 to carry out self-inspections and make changes.” Authorities will take action against non-compliant apps during the first three weeks of December, and they face suspension or even blacklisting.