Apple Removes Major Gay Dating Apps From China’s App Store Following Government Request
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Apple has removed two of China’s most popular gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, from its App Store in the country, complying with a direct request from the Chinese government. While the apps remain functional on devices where they are already installed, their removal from both the Apple App Store and several Android app stores signals a tightening grip on the LGBTQ+ community within China.
Apple confirmed the decision, stating it acted in accordance with a directive from the Cyberspace Administration of China. “We respect the laws of the countries in which we operate,” an Apple spokesperson said in an email. “In accordance with a decision by the Cyberspace Administration of China, we have removed these two applications from the Chinese online store only.” The company also noted that these apps have not been available in other countries for some time, with Finka voluntarily removing its app from stores outside of China earlier this year and Blued being exclusively available within China.
Growing Pressure on LGBTQ+ Platforms in China
The removal of Blued and Finka is the latest in a series of actions restricting LGBTQ+ digital spaces in China. Despite the decriminalization of homosexuality in the 1990s, the Communist Party has demonstrably increased pressure on the community in recent years. In 2022, Grindr was removed from the Chinese App Store, demonstrating a pattern of censorship targeting these platforms.
Blued, which boasted 49 million registered users and over 6 million monthly active users as of 2020, acquired its main competitor, Finka, in the same year. The future of these platforms remains uncertain, particularly after Blued temporarily suspended new user registrations in July before reinstating them in mid-August, a move that raised concerns among its user base. Blued also operates an international version, HeeSay, which is popular in South and Southeast Asia, including India, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
Apple’s History of Compliance with Chinese Censorship
This incident is not isolated. Apple has a documented history of adapting its practices to align with the demands of the Chinese government. The launch of Apple Intelligence was reportedly delayed due to the complexities of implementing censorship within its AI models. Furthermore, Apple has removed applications addressing sensitive topics, concealed the Taiwanese flag from its systems, and limited AirDrop functionality to 10 minutes for transfers to unknown users following the 2019 Hong Kong protests.
These actions raise critical questions about the balance between corporate values and the pursuit of market access in authoritarian regimes. Apple’s willingness to comply with censorship requests, even when impacting vulnerable communities, underscores the significant influence China wields over global technology companies. The ongoing situation highlights the challenges faced by tech firms navigating the complex ethical and political landscape of the Chinese market.
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