"China Bans Two Gay Dating Apps from App Stores"

China Removes Two Popular Gay Dating Apps from App Stores Amid Strict Internet Laws In a move that has sparked concerns within China's LGBT community, Apple has removed two popular gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, from its China app store following a directive from the Cyberspace Administration of China. According to Apple, the removal was made in compliance with local laws, citing that the company follows the laws of the countries where it operates. The directive from the Cyberspace Administration of China, a government agency responsible for regulating the internet in China, was reportedly issued to Apple on an unspecified date. Apple confirmed the removal of the apps, stating that they were taken down from the China storefront only. A "lite" version of the Blued app remains available on Chinese app stores, according to checks by the BBC. The removal of these apps from the Apple store in China highlights the complex interplay between technology companies and governments in regulating online content. This move has raised concerns amongst the LGBT community in China, who fear it may exacerbate existing restrictions on their online presence. The LGBT community in China has long faced censorship and restrictions on their online activities, with many websites and apps being blocked or removed from app stores. According to a spokesperson for Apple, the company follows the laws of the countries where it operates. "We follow the laws of 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," the spokesperson said. The BBC has contacted the Chinese embassy in Washington and the companies behind both apps for comment, but has yet to receive a response. The removal of these apps is the latest example of China's strict internet laws, which have been criticized for restricting freedom of expression and access to information. China's internet laws are some of the most restrictive in the world, with many websites and apps being blocked or removed from app stores. The LGBT community in China has long been a target of censorship and restrictions, with many websites and apps being blocked or removed from app stores. The current status of the apps remains unclear, with the "lite" version of the Blued app still available on Chinese app stores. It is unclear what the next steps will be for the companies behind the apps, or for the LGBT community in China. The removal of these apps has sparked concerns amongst human rights groups and advocates for the LGBT community, who fear it may exacerbate existing restrictions on their online presence. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this move will impact the LGBT community in China and the complex interplay between technology companies and governments in regulating online content.