- Apple removes WhatsApp, Threads from China App Store due to new local laws.
- The move comes amid US-China tech tensions and Beijing’s tightening internet restrictions.
- China now requires app developers to register with the government or face strict action.
Say goodbye to Meta apps
Apple has removed Meta-owned WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
This move aligns with a 2023 law from Chinese authorities mandating the removal of unregistered or outdated apps on iOS and Android app stores.
The removal of these apps occurs amidst heightened tensions between the US and China over tech products, including a chip war and a potential TikTok ban by the US government.
Apple cited its need to comply with local laws, following an order from China’s internet regulator.
Great firewall grows taller
Most foreign social media platforms like WhatsApp are already inaccessible in China without a VPN due to the country’s internet restrictions. However, this removal further limits Chinese users’ access to US-made platforms.
Beijing mandated all app developers to register with its government by the end of March, with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology threatening strict action against unregistered apps.
Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would ban TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, divests its interest in the platform.
To read the original article: https://www.techinasia.com/apple-enforces-chinese-law-drops-meta-apps
