Apple’s Removal of WhatsApp and Threads in China
Apple announced on Friday that it had removed Platforms’ WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China. This action was taken in compliance with an order by the Chinese government, citing national security concerns.
Meta Apps Still Available
Despite the removal of Threads and WhatsApp, other Meta apps like Messenger and Instagram remained accessible on the Apple app store in China as of Friday morning, as reported by Reuters.
US-China Tech Relations
This removal of American tech services coincides with the US government’s efforts to potentially ban TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, in China. US politicians have also raised national security concerns as a reason for considering the sale of TikTok to a non-Chinese owner or banning it from the US market.
Security Concerns and Compliance
Apple stated to Reuters that the Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps due to national security concerns. The tech giant emphasized its commitment to following laws in the countries where it operates, even when there are disagreements.
Regulatory Background
The specific security concerns prompting the Chinese government’s action were not explicitly mentioned. However, experts in China’s tech industry suggest that the order may be linked to a new regulation from August, requiring app registration with the government or facing removal. The deadline for registration was in March, with regulations enforced from April 1st.
Availability of Apps
While WhatsApp and Threads are no longer accessible in China, Apple clarified that these apps can still be downloaded from its other app stores worldwide. Tech-savvy Chinese consumers can access the removed apps from Apple’s App Stores in other countries if they have an iCloud account there.
