An Apple store in Shanghai
AFP
Apple has taken action in China by removing WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store due to national security concerns raised by the Chinese government. This move coincides with the U.S. House of Representatives preparing to vote on a bill that could force ByteDance, the Chinese internet company, to divest its popular app TikTok to avoid a ban in the U.S.
Lawmakers in the U.S. have expressed worries about TikTok’s security risks given its ties to the second-largest economy in the world. The reasons behind China’s security concerns regarding WhatsApp and Threads have not been fully disclosed.
Apple stated that the Cyberspace Administration of China mandated the removal of these apps from the China storefront due to national security issues. Despite this, the apps are still available for download on Apple’s international App Stores for Chinese consumers with access to iCloud accounts in other countries.
This is not the first time Apple has removed apps from its China App Store, as seen in the case of The New York Times news app in 2017. China has a history of restricting American apps and technology firms, including Meta-owned platforms like Facebook and Instagram, using its Great Firewall system.
WhatsApp and Threads were previously accessible in China through VPNs, but the recent directive may be linked to a regulation requiring all apps in China to register with the government. Companies had until March to complete registrations, with the regulations taking effect on April 1.
Apple
WhatsApp
China
Instagram
2024-04-21 19:00:03
Article from www.ibtimes.com