2024-04-19 05:36:00
A Apple removed WhatsApp, Threads, Telegram and Signal apps from the Chinese App Store. The information was confirmed by the Cupertino manufacturer this Friday (19).
This ban on applications of Western origin shows that China has increasingly expanded its repression against foreign services that do not follow its rules.
In a somewhat vague justification, the Chinese Cyberspace Administration said the removal of these apps is necessary to “preserve national security.”
As much as it may cause some political impact outside of China, it is necessary to remember that these applications are not used by the Chinese. This is because the country has several local options, such as WeChat.
Furthermore, even if available on the App Store, WhatsApp or Telegram only work in China through a VPN, since the country’s “great firewall” prevents access to messenger servers.
Commenting on the matter, Apple only confirmed that it followed the Chinese government’s guidelines.
The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China store based on its national security concerns. We are obliged to follow the laws of the countries where we operate, even when we disagree.
Meta did not comment on the matter and representatives of the Telegram and Signal applications did not return Reuters’ contact.
Still, analysts believe that this ban promoted by the Chinese government is related to non-compliance with a new rule in the country. Announced at the end of last year, it predicts that apps operating in China will need to be registered and share data with the government.
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