A policy control method performed by an enforcement function network element, where the enforcement function network element receives an update request to modify or remove a target packet flow description (PFD) associated with a target application identifier. For a session for which a first policy rule including the target application identifier is installed or activated, the enforcement function network element determines that data about an application corresponding to the target application identifier has been detected using the target PFD. The enforcement function network element further determines that start indication information of the application has been reported to a control function network element, and sends stop indication information of the application to the control function network element, which adjusts the first policy rule.