(Yicai Global) May 13 -- China’s government today ordered app stores to pull 90 mobile phone applications, including those of online travel agency Tuniu and careers platform Maimai, because they infringed the rights and interests of users.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology warned 93 mobile apps on April 23 over violations of users’ legal rights. In a statement posted on its website today, the MIIT said 85 have not yet finished the required overhauls after examination and review by a third-party inspector.

In various versions of their apps, Tuniu, Maimai, ticket seller Damai, knowledge-sharing community Tianya and music tutor VIP Peilian had repeatedly infringed user rights and interests, the MIIT said in its statement. This included excessive collection of personal information, forcing users to accept push notifications and misleading them into downloading the apps.

The MIIT also ordered app stores to carefully screen companies where such issues repeatedly occur and thoroughly review apps before making them available online. 

Tuniu’s shares [NASDAQ: TOUR] closed 5.7 percent lower in New York yesterday at USD2.14. In pre-market trading today, they were down a further 3.3 percent as of 5.02 a.m. local time.

Editor: Tom Litting