Apple Removes Gay Dating Apps from Chinese App Store
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Apple has confirmed the removal of two popular gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, from its Chinese iOS Store. This action follows a directive from the Cyberspace Administration of China, the country's main internet regulator.
The apps disappeared from the store over the weekend, and Apple stated it must adhere to the laws of the countries in which it operates. The company clarified that these apps had already been unavailable in other regions.
Interestingly, a 'lite' version of the Blued app remains accessible on the China App Store, according to CNBC's report. This incident is part of a broader trend of increasing censorship of LGBTQ content in China.
The situation mirrors the removal of Grindr from the iOS store in 2022, which occurred shortly after the Cyberspace Administration initiated a crackdown on content deemed illegal or inappropriate. In 2023, Beijing introduced new regulations mandating that all apps catering to local users register with the government and obtain licenses, resulting in significant removals of foreign apps from the iOS platform.
Moreover, in April 2024, Apple complied with a request to remove Meta's WhatsApp and Threads due to national security concerns. Apple's compliance with these regulatory requests highlights its willingness to align with Chinese government demands, especially given that China is its largest overseas market outside the United States.
The removal of Blued and Finka also signifies a worrying trend in the ongoing crackdown on LGBTQ rights in China. Despite the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1997, same-sex marriage remains unrecognized, and major advocacy groups have faced closure, such as the Beijing LGBT Center.
These developments raise significant concerns about censorship and the implications for LGBTQ rights in technology. The report underscores the tensions between global technology companies and the regulatory frameworks of authoritarian regimes, shedding light on the challenges faced by LGBTQ communities in regions with restrictive laws.
According to the report, this is not an isolated incident; it reflects a pattern of compliance by Apple and other tech companies operating in China. The implications of these actions extend beyond the immediate impact on app availability, reflecting broader themes of corporate responsibility, free expression, and the rights of marginalized communities in the face of government censorship.