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Apple pulls social media giant Meta’s WhatsApp and Threads services from China App Store amid country’s tightened internet regulation
- The apps were removed at the behest of Chinese regulatory authorities, according to Apple
- Apple’s action shows how the US technology titan continues to navigate shifting mainland regulations amid tensions between Washington and Beijing
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Ben Jiangin Beijing
Apple has removed two of Meta Platforms’ popular apps, messaging service WhatsApp and social network Threads, from its mainland China App Store as part of the US technology giant’s efforts to comply with the country’s tightened internet regulations.
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All traces of WhatsApp – the world’s most popular messaging app, with more than 2 billion monthly active users in 2023 – and Threads, which has soared in popularity on the mainland since its launch last July, are now gone from the domestic App Store, according to a search by the Post on Friday.
Chinese regulatory authorities had ordered the removal of those two apps over national security concerns, according to Apple.
“We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree,” Apple said in a statement cited in a report by The Wall Street Journal, which first broke the news. “These apps remain available for download on all other storefronts where they appear.”
In an emailed statement, Meta said: “We refer you to Apple for comment.”
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Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.
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