Summary
Apple has removed two popular gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, from its app store in China. This action followed an order from the Chinese government, which has strict internet regulations. A lighter version of the Blued app and some other gay dating apps remain available in China.
Key Facts
- Apple removed the apps Blued and Finka from its store in China after a government order.
- The Cyberspace Administration of China was behind the directive to remove the apps.
- Blued is a widely-used gay dating app in China with millions of downloads.
- A "lite" version of the Blued app is still accessible on Chinese app stores.
- Same-sex marriages are not recognized in China, even though homosexuality was decriminalized in 1997.
- In 2022, the Cyberspace Administration of China began removing apps it considered inappropriate, such as Grindr.
- The Chinese government requires apps to have licenses to operate locally, affecting foreign apps.
- Apple's app store in China operates under local internet laws, limiting available apps like Instagram and WhatsApp.
