Apple has removed WhatsApp and Threads from its app store in China because the company is “obligated to follow the laws” of the country in which it operates, according to CNN.
“The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns. These apps remain available for download on all other storefronts where they appear,” according to an Apple spokesperson.
Meta-owned apps have already been blocked in China and are not widely available. They can only be accessed in the country by using virtual private networks (VPNs), which can encrypt internet traffic and mask a user’s online identity.
The removal of the apps by Apple represents a “further distancing between already separated tech universes” in the country and beyond, said Duncan Clark, chairman of Beijing-based investment advisory BDA China.
“It will cause inconvenience to consumers and businesses (in China) who deal with family, friends or customers overseas. Even if they use VPNs to access their existing WhatsApp apps, these over time will become obsolete and require updating.”
Despite, other popular Western social media apps including X, Facebook, Instagram and Messenger are still available in Apple’s app shop in China.
The tech giant’s announcement came amid a drop in iPhone sales (10 per cent in the first quarter of this year) in the world’s second largest economy. The company has lost momentum in China as nationalism, a tough economy and increased competition have hurt Apple over the past few months.
Chinese consumers who once considered Apple are now turning to the country’s national brands, as a consequence of which Huawei and other Chinese brands including Xiaomi and OPPO/OnePlus are expected to revive, according to IDC.
China is a key manufacturing centre and an important market for Apple as it is the largest market after the US. The company continues to offer discounts in the country to help boost sales. CEO Tim Cook visited Shanghai just last month to open the second largest Apple shop in the world.
