Apple has recently removed WhatsApp and Threads from its Chinese app store following a government order. This decision was made after the top internet regulator in China asked Apple to remove the two apps due to national security concerns. While WhatsApp has been blocked in China since 2017, its parent company Meta has been blocked since 2009. Western platforms like Gmail, YouTube, Snapchat, and Spotify have also been censored in China.
Despite the fact that some users find ways to access these platforms through virtual private networks, being removed from the app store may prevent this. Apple spokesperson mentioned that they are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where they operate, even when they disagree. The Chinese government’s direction to Apple comes at a time when US policymakers are debating a potential ban on TikTok due to concerns about data harvesting and political influence.
Apple CEO Tim Cook visited China last month to open a new store in Shanghai and engage with top policymakers. This visit came after iPhone sales dropped earlier this year. In January, Chinese chipmakers planned to create chip production lines to supply processors to local smartphone makers, a move that could impact Apple, which has benefited from tight export restrictions. With over 2 billion users globally, WhatsApp is a popular messaging app, while Instagram Threads, with over 130 million users, was launched in July. China, with its significance as both a manufacturing and consumer market, presents a complex landscape for Apple’s operations.