John AdoyiApple has announced the removal of several social texting apps, including Meta’s WhatsApp and Threads, as well as the Durov Brothers’ Telegram and Signal foundation’s Signal messaging app from its App Store in China.
According to Apple, the action was in response to an order from the Chinese government citing national security concerns.
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The Cyberspace Administration of China, a government censor and internet regulator, directed Apple to take down these apps, prompting the US-based tech giant to comply.
In a statement issued on Friday, Apple emphasized its commitment to adhering to local laws, stating, “We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree.”
This move is likely to further strain the already tense relationship between China and the United States, particularly regarding technology and national security. The US government has previously sought to ban the Chinese short-video-sharing app TikTok over similar concerns.
While WhatsApp and the other apps affected by the ban may not be as popular in China as TikTok is In the U.S., this action is seen as a response to US measures against TikTok.
