Apple pulls two major messaging platforms from China App Store

Chinese government cites security concerns

Following the order of the Chinese government, Apple has removed WhatsApp and Threads from it's App Store

Apple confirmed that it had removed Meta owned WhatsApp and Threads from it's China app store after an order by the Chinese government on Friday.

According to app-tracking firms Qimai and AppMagic, messaging platforms Telegram and Signal, were also withdrawn from the app store on the same day.

The order from the Chinese government is indicative of reduced tolerance towards foreign messaging apps that are beyond their control, as well as a reduction in the amount of commercial room for Apple to operate in China.

The ban doesn't extend to all messaging apps. Reuters reported on Friday that Facebook, Instagram and Messenger could still be downloaded. Other popular apps not owned by Meta including YouTube and X also remain accessible.

Numerous foreign applications including these four are generally blocked on Chinese Networks by the "Great Firewall", the country's extensive censorship tech, and is only accessible through virtual private networks or other proxy services.

The Chinese government has not provided any insights as to why it considers these apps to be a security concern.

"The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns," Apple said in an emailed statement.

"We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree," added the statement.

WeChat is the most used service in China.

The four withdrawn apps remain available in Hong Kong and Macau.

Experts on Chinese technology have speculated that the ban might be based on the government's order last August, requiring apps available in China to register with the government or possess the risk of being removed.

Companies were expected to complete registrations by the end of March as the regulation came into play from April 1.

Apple has previously been criticised by pro-democracy campaigners from removing apps from it's Chinese app store apparently at the behest of Beijing.

Back in 2017, Apple pulled The New York Times new app stating it had violated local regulations. It remains unavailable in the country. Apple also removed an app called HKmap which pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong used to track police during the demonstrations of 2019.

Apple also cooperated with the removal of various AI driven apps like ChatGPT last year, as the Chinese government announced a raft of regulations last July which required any GenAI apps to have what amounts to a permit to operate in China.