Apple has removed WhatsApp and Threads from its app store in China, following an order from the country’s internet watchdog citing national security concerns.
“We must respect the laws of the countries where we operate, even when we disagree,” an Apple spokesperson told CNN on Friday.
“The Cyberspace Administration of China has ordered the removal of these apps from the Chinese store due to national security concerns. These apps remain available for download on all other storefronts where they appear.”
The apps, all owned by Meta (META), have been blocked in China, and are rarely used. They are only accessible domestically using a virtual private network (VPN) that can encrypt internet traffic and mask users’ online identities.
According to Duncan Clark, president of Beijing-based investment consulting firm, BDA China, Apple’s app removal represents “further distance between already separate tech universes.”
He noted that “it will cause inconvenience to consumers and businesses (in China) who deal with family, friends or customers overseas.”
“Even if they use VPN to access existing WhatsApp apps, these apps will become outdated over time and need to be updated,” he said.
Per CNN, other Western social media apps such as X and other Meta-owned apps; Facebook, Instagram and Messenger, are still available on Apple’s app store in China.
Apple’s announcement comes amid falling iPhone sales in the world’s second-largest economy. A report by the International Data Corporation (IDC) said Apple’s smartphone sales fell 10% in the first quarter of 2024.
