Report from news agency Reuters (via NDTVAccording to ), WhatsApp and Threads have been removed from the Apple App Store in China. What is surprising is that the country’s internet regulator has removed both the apps citing national security concerns. Following this change, the tech giant clarified that this removal only applies to China, while the apps will remain available for download in other regions.
China has been tough on foreign developers in the past, restricting access to various foreign apps and platforms without the use of a virtual private network (VPN). Despite this, savvy users often find other ways to access restricted platforms through Apple’s App Store.
China is an important market for Apple, although issues such as censorship and national security have continued to challenge its operations there. This move to remove WhatsApp and Threads points to the ongoing tension between Beijing and Washington in the field of technology.
The timing of this action is noteworthy, at a time when Chinese-owned apps are facing heightened scrutiny in the US. China has consistently taken steps against US efforts to hinder its technological progress, describing such actions as part of a broader strategy to curb its economic advancement.