• Apple has removed WhatsApp and Threads from its Chinese app store following a government order.
  • WhatsApp has been blocked in China since 2017 and its parent company Meta since 2009.
  • Other Western platforms like Gmail, YouTube, Snap, and Spotify have also been censored in China.

Apple removed WhatsApp and Threads from its app store in China after being told to do so by the Chinese government, according to the Wall Street Journal.

China’s top internet regulator asked Apple to remove the two apps because of national security concerns.

  • AutoTL;DR@lemmings.worldB
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    8 months ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:


    Apple removed WhatsApp and Threads from its app store in China after being told to do so by the Chinese government, according to the Wall Street Journal.

    China’s top internet regulator asked Apple to remove the two apps because of national security concerns.

    Some users find ways to access these platforms through virtual private networks, but removal from the app store may prevent this.

    CEO Tim Cook visited the country last month to open a new store in Shanghai and rub elbows with top policymakers.

    And in January, Chinese chipmakers drew up plans to create chip production lines to supply processors to local smartphone makers.

    China’s direction to Apple comes as US policymakers debate a ban on TikTok, the popular Chinese app.


    The original article contains 299 words, the summary contains 122 words. Saved 59%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!