Father
Professional
- Messages
- 2,602
- Reaction score
- 760
- Points
- 113
Chinese authorities are increasing their control over the Internet by blocking popular instant messengers.
Apple excluded WhatsApp, Threads, Telegram and Signal apps from the Chinese App Store. This decision was made after the decree of the Chinese Cyberspace Administration on the need to eliminate additional "gaps" in national Internet security.
The measure was part of an extensive clean-up program initiated by Chinese regulators in 2023, which aimed to remove unregistered and outdated apps from iOS and Android stores in China. The country's authorities demand that all mobile app developers register with the government before the end of March or stop their activities.
For years, China has banned the use of foreign messengers and social platforms such as WhatsApp, which has contributed to the dominance of local apps such as Tencent Holdings Ltd's WeChat. However, Chinese residents can still use a VPN to access foreign services.
Consulting company AppInChina noted that the new rules will limit the choice of Chinese users to mainly local applications, which further isolates them from the global community.
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has announced that it will monitor app registration from April to June, as well as measures to combat illegal information.
The actions come amid discussions in the US about a possible TikTok ban. American politicians express concerns about national security, suggesting either the sale of TikTok to a non-Chinese owner, or its complete ban in the United States.
Apple, while emphasizing its commitment to law enforcement in the countries where it operates, said that apps removed from the Chinese store are still available in other countries. China remains a key market for the company, being its largest consumer market outside the United States and its main manufacturing base.
Apple excluded WhatsApp, Threads, Telegram and Signal apps from the Chinese App Store. This decision was made after the decree of the Chinese Cyberspace Administration on the need to eliminate additional "gaps" in national Internet security.
The measure was part of an extensive clean-up program initiated by Chinese regulators in 2023, which aimed to remove unregistered and outdated apps from iOS and Android stores in China. The country's authorities demand that all mobile app developers register with the government before the end of March or stop their activities.
For years, China has banned the use of foreign messengers and social platforms such as WhatsApp, which has contributed to the dominance of local apps such as Tencent Holdings Ltd's WeChat. However, Chinese residents can still use a VPN to access foreign services.
Consulting company AppInChina noted that the new rules will limit the choice of Chinese users to mainly local applications, which further isolates them from the global community.
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has announced that it will monitor app registration from April to June, as well as measures to combat illegal information.
The actions come amid discussions in the US about a possible TikTok ban. American politicians express concerns about national security, suggesting either the sale of TikTok to a non-Chinese owner, or its complete ban in the United States.
Apple, while emphasizing its commitment to law enforcement in the countries where it operates, said that apps removed from the Chinese store are still available in other countries. China remains a key market for the company, being its largest consumer market outside the United States and its main manufacturing base.
