In recent discussions about government service applications, phrases like “daily check-ins on over 20 apps,” “scrolling for points even in the restroom,” and “government apps becoming ‘zombie’ applications” have surfaced frequently in the media. These comments highlight a growing concern from both grassroots officials and the public regarding the functionality and management of these apps. While the initial intentions behind developing these applications were valid, practical experiences have shown that many have become burdensome, shifting their purpose and leading to frustration for both officials and citizens alike.

Local officials find themselves spending more time navigating these platforms than addressing actual community needs, solving pressing issues, or tackling significant challenges. Consequently, their dedication to effective public service has diminished. This situation has prompted calls for a more regulated approach to managing these apps in order to relieve the pressure on grassroots workers.

Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council released guidelines titled “Several Regulations on Reducing Burdens for Grassroots Work and Remedying Formalism.” Among the topics covered is the “Regulation of Government Mobile Internet Applications,” which emphasizes the need to streamline and consolidate apps designed for grassroots users, enforce stringent management practices, and prevent distortions in their functionality. This marks the beginning of a standardized management approach for government apps across all levels of governance.

The development and operation of these applications should be organized, efficient, and focused on serving the public effectively, which is crucial for advancing the digital government initiative and improving public services. However, a “low threshold” for app development, misguided evaluations, and an obsession with digital performance metrics have led to some apps being more of a burden than a benefit, resulting in what can only be described as “formalism at your fingertips.” Officials are often required to report the same issue through multiple channels, check in on tasks of varying significance, and assess their app usage based on points or rankings. This has understandably led to frustration among grassroots officials and citizens alike.

To alleviate these challenges, steps must be taken to reduce the number of applications, eliminate overlapping functions, and simplify management processes. Grassroots work is intrinsically tied to people’s daily lives, and local officials are confronted with a wide array of tasks, from addressing neighborhood disputes to managing rural sanitation and promoting industrial development. Each of these tasks requires significant attention and resources, which should not be squandered on administrative details such as uploading documents, accruing points, or competing on app leaderboards.

Managing government apps effectively requires a systematic approach to phase out those with unclear purposes, overlapping features, and low efficiency. Streamlining these platforms will be instrumental in easing the load on grassroots workers.

In addition to optimizing the number and functionality of government apps, accountability, management, and efficiency must also be enhanced. These tools are fundamental for improving public service delivery and benefiting communities. Therefore, it’s essential to establish accountability mechanisms to ensure that the reduction of government apps truly relieves burdens. Simultaneously, we must refine the evaluation methods for grassroots officials to move away from outdated practices that prioritize tracking and ranking. It’s also critical to encourage collaboration between departments to curb redundant app development and to put in place clear feedback mechanisms that allow grassroots officials and citizens to express concerns about overly complicated or unnecessary applications.

Ultimately, the focus in developing and operating government apps must remain on serving the public, ensuring they are practical, user-friendly, and secure. By taking proactive steps to regulate the management of these applications, we can lighten the load on grassroots workers, enabling them to concentrate on their essential roles and enhance the overall effectiveness of public service.