The Chinese authorities are reported to be clamping down on mobile apps which provide access to news content without approval from government regulators.

According to Reuters, the State Internet Information Office – established in 2011 to coordinate oversight of the internet in the country – is looking to act on apps which provide “pornography and obscene information and harm the physical and mental health of youngsters”, and others which publish false information.

However, it was also noted that some apps also provide access to articles published by overseas sources, and which have otherwise been blocked in the country.

While the report said the office will give offending apps the chance to “rectify” according to applicable laws, it will close down and ban those that are not modified.