Apple Complies with China’s App Removal Mandate
In a significant move, Apple has confirmed the removal of Meta’s WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China. The action was taken in response to directives issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China, citing reasons related to national security.
Despite the evident dissonance with such directives, Apple articulated its position, emphasizing its duty to adhere to the laws of the countries in which it operates. The position was made clear: “We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree,” the company stated. As of now, Meta has not issued a statement regarding the app removals.
With WhatsApp’s global user base exceeding 2 billion monthly active users, and Threads ranking as the fourth most downloaded app worldwide in December according to analytics firm Appfigures, the impact of this decision could be considerable.
The timeline for WhatsApp’s disappearance from the App Store is yet to be pinpointed, but checks confirmed its unavailability as of Friday. Meanwhile, other Meta platforms such as Messenger, Facebook, and Instagram remain accessible through the Chinese App Store.
Historically, Chinese users managed to circumvent the Great Firewall using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access Western social media apps. However, with Apple’s latest app removals, even downloading these apps on iPhones in China is no longer an option.
Rich Bishop, CEO of AppInChina, shed light on the regulatory environment that led to this situation. A government-imposed deadline of April 1st required all operational apps in China to complete a formal registration process. This process involves establishing a local company or partnering with a local publisher and hosting the app’s backend within China.
According to Bishop, Apple has been proactive in enforcing this requirement for Chinese developer accounts and is extending this enforcement to international services. “Once Apple starts enforcing it, hundreds of thousands of apps will be removed because very few have obtained an app filing,” Bishop commented, indicating a potential reshaping of the app landscape in China.
The removal of these apps coincides with US legislative movements concerning the ownership of TikTok, another point of contention in the ongoing digital space negotiations.
Meta’s endeavors to re-enter the Chinese market, highlighted by Mark Zuckerberg’s overtures a decade ago, have not borne fruit. Despite learning Mandarin and engaging in public relations efforts, Facebook’s ban in China remains in effect.
Apple, meanwhile, is grappling with a competitive smartphone market in China. The tech giant has experienced a decline in iPhone sales, challenged by domestic brands like Huawei and restrictions on government employees’ use of their devices.
Counterpoint Research reported a 24 percent drop in iPhone sales in the early weeks of the year. In response, Apple has introduced discounts to stimulate demand. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, continues to engage with the Chinese market, recently inaugurating Apple’s largest store in Asia in Shanghai. These efforts illustrate Apple’s ongoing commitment to the Chinese consumer base, even in the face of sales headwinds.
Apple’s strategic maneuvers include diversifying its supply chain, with production shifts to India and discussions about further expansion in Vietnam and Indonesia, as part of its global operational recalibration.
