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Apple Removes WhatsApp, Threads, Telegram, Signal from China Store; 170,000 Apps Deleted

Apr 19, 2024, 05:03 AM

Apple Inc. has removed Meta Platforms Inc.'s WhatsApp and Threads, along with Telegram and Signal, from its App Store in China following orders from the Chinese government. The Cyberspace Administration of China directed the removal, citing national security concerns. This action is part of a broader crackdown on apps that the Chinese government began in 2023, aiming to close loopholes in its internet firewall, resulting in nearly 170,000 apps being removed. Apple stated that it is obligated to comply with the laws of the countries in which it operates, despite potential disagreements with such policies.