Summary
Apple has removed two gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, from its App Store in China. This action follows an order from Chinese authorities. The apps have also disappeared from several Android app stores but still work for users who already have them.
Key Facts
- Apple removed the Blued and Finka apps from the Chinese App Store following an order from China's internet regulator.
- The apps are still functional for users in China who downloaded them before removal.
- Blued and Finka have reportedly been unavailable outside China for some time.
- In July, Blued stopped new user registration, but it resumed in mid-August.
- BlueCity, the company behind Blued, went public in 2020 with millions of users and later acquired Finka.
- The Chinese government decriminalized homosexuality in the 1990s but doesn't recognize same-sex marriage.
- LGBTQ+ events and organizations in China face increasing restrictions, contributing to a challenging environment for the community.
