What's happened
Apple has removed WhatsApp, Threads, Signal, and Telegram from its App Store in China following orders from the Chinese government due to national security concerns.
Why it matters
The removal of these messaging apps by Apple in China highlights the increasing control exerted by the Chinese government over foreign online services. This move could have significant implications for Apple's operations in China and raises concerns about censorship and surveillance of online communication.
What the papers say
The Independent and Business Insider UK report on Apple's compliance with Chinese regulations, highlighting the potential impact on the tech giant's relationship with China. The Guardian provides insights into China's strict internet regulations and censorship practices, shedding light on the broader context of online control in the country.
How we got here
China has a history of censoring foreign online services and maintaining strict control over internet content through its 'Great Firewall.' The removal of these messaging apps reflects China's efforts to regulate online communication and restrict access to platforms that are not under its control.
Common question
More on these topics
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Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services.
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WhatsApp Messenger, or simply WhatsApp, is an American freeware, cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP service owned by Facebook, Inc.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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An app store is a type of digital distribution platform for computer software called applications, often in a mobile context. Apps provide a specific set of functions which, by definition, do not include the running of the computer itself.
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Threads is an online social media and social networking service operated by Meta Platforms. The app offers users the ability to post and share text, images, and videos, as well as interact with other users' posts through replies, reposts, and likes.
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TikTok/Douyin is a Chinese video-sharing social networking service owned by ByteDance, a Beijing-based Internet technology company founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming.