Apple did not say which apps were removed, but analytics firm Appfigures said WhatsApp, Threads, Signal and Telegram were gone from the app store. Meta, which owns WhatsApp and Threads, referred a request for comment to Apple.
The popular app can be used for large-scale information exchange and document sharing, making it useful for dissidents around the world.
Chinese consumers are restricted by strict regulations on political expression and are not allowed to oppose the ruling Chinese Communist Party.The Chinese government’s firewall already blocks access to the WhatsApp network, but users Access via virtual private network. The app will no longer be available for download.
Apple’s move comes amid rising tensions between the United States and China over consumer technology. The U.S. Senate is considering legislation that would target the popular social media app TikTok, which is owned by its Chinese parent company, and could force it to be sold or banned.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
