Apple Removes Popular Gay Dating Apps in China Following Government Order

Apple has removed two of China’s most popular gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, from its App Store in the country, following an order from China’s Cyberspace Administration. This move highlights the increasing restrictions faced by the LGBT community in China, where strict internet laws and government regulations are enforced. The removal of these apps has raised concerns within the LGBT community, as many see it as a further step towards censorship. While Blued’s ‘lite’ version is still available in the Chinese App Store, other gay dating apps, such as Jicco and Jack’d, remain accessible. This action follows a pattern of increased censorship of foreign apps in China, which has been tightening rules around online content. The Chinese government has been cracking down on content it deems illegal or inappropriate, leading to the removal of several international apps, including Grindr, in previous years. Despite homosexuality being decriminalized in China since 1997, same-sex marriages are still not recognized, and many LGBT advocacy groups have ceased their operations in the country due to growing restrictions.