Apple has removed about 100 apps that offer ChatGPT-like services from its Chinese app store ahead of the country’s generative AI regulations going into effect on August 15. The new law requires providers of generative AI services to register their services with authorities and conduct security assessments prior to their commercial launch.
Among the apps removed includes “ChatGPTGAi Plus,” which offers translation and writing composition features, and “Spark” released on June 29. According to an app developer of “OpenCat,” which was also removed, Apple said the apps “contain content that is illegal in China.”
Apple also urged developers to comply with regulations on deepfakes, which came into force in China on January 10. Chinese authorities have defined deepfakes or deep synthesis technology as “a technology that creates or manipulates texts, images, video and audio using deep learning or augmented reality of artificial intelligence.”
Chinese law stipulates that deep synthesis service providers and users must clearly disclose the original source when creating content using the deepfake technology, and ask for one’s consent when using someone’s image or voice in the edited content. When using deepfake technology in news reports, the media outlet using the technology must be approved by the Chinese government.
The new AI law that’s taking effect on August 15 states that China must conform to the country’s socialist values and that even foreign service providers must comply with the regulations when servicing Chinese residents.
After OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT last November, the Chinese tech industry also jumped into the development of generative AI models largely targeting B2B, not the general public. In March, Baidu released the “Ernie Bot” and Alibaba unveiled plans to launch the “Tongyi Qianwen.” SenseTime Group, the Alibaba-backed company, unveiled the “Sense Chat.”
