HONG KONG (AP) — Apple said it had removed Meta’s WhatsApp messaging app and its Threads social media app from the App Store in China to comply with orders from Chinese authorities.
The apps were removed from the store on Friday after Chinese officials cited unspecified national security concerns.
Their removal comes amid elevated tensions between the U.S. and China over trade, technology and national security.
The U.S. has threatened to ban TikTok over national security concerns. But while TikTok, owned by Chinese technology firm ByteDance, is used by millions in the U.S., apps like WhatsApp and Threads are not commonly used in China.
Instead, the messaging app WeChat, owned by Chinese company Tencent, reigns supreme.
Other Meta apps, including Facebook, Instagram and Messenger remained available for download, although use of such foreign apps is blocked in China due to its “Great Firewall” network of filters that restrict use of foreign websites such as Google and Facebook.
Hawaii Supreme Court chides state's legal moves on water after deadly Maui wildfire
Sharp rise in rental fraud including faking payslips, as tenants seek to fight off competition
With a wet Easter looming, we round up the 20 best last
A former Russian tycoon who once led separatist region launches a hunger strike in Azerbaijan jail
Video tour of Gatwick's futuristic electric vehicle charging station
Mercedes upgrades its electric EQS to give the EV a huge 511 mile
Tale of the state pension underpaid for 20 YEARS: This is Money podcast
Beijing Half Marathon champion has medal taken away after other runners slowed down to let him win