Apple has taken down two popular LGBTQ+ dating apps, Blued and Finka, from the App Store in China after directives from the country’s internet regulator and censorship authority. This action has raised concerns over LGBTQ+ rights in China.
The removal of these apps, widely used in the LGBTQ+ community, follows a trend of increasing restrictions on online content by the Chinese government. While the apps are no longer available for download, existing users in China can still access them.
An Apple spokesperson stated, ‘We follow the laws in the countries where we operate. Based on an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China, we have removed these two apps from the China storefront only.’ This move aligns with Apple’s compliance with local regulations.
China, despite decriminalizing homosexuality in the 1990s, does not legally recognize same-sex marriage. The LGBTQ+ community in China has faced growing challenges with the tightening control over civil society and free expression by the Chinese government.
Blued, a significant player in the LGBTQ+ dating app scene, had temporarily halted new user registrations in July, causing a surge in demand for existing accounts. However, user registration resumed in mid-August, showcasing the complexities of navigating regulatory requirements in China for such platforms.
This development underscores the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and representation in China’s digital space, where censorship and regulatory pressures continue to shape online interactions and access to diverse communities.
Source: WIRED