"Two of China's most popular gay dating apps have disappeared from app stores in the country, raising fears of a further crackdown on LGBT communities. As of Tuesday, Blued and Finka were unavailable on Apple's app store and several Android platforms. Users who had already downloaded the apps appeared to still be able to use them. Both apps were still available for download from their official websites. The apps have not released public statements about the removals."
"In a statement to Wired, Apple said: 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. In accordance with the country's laws, Apple operates a separate app store in China."
"Homosexuality is legal in China. But after decades of opening and liberalisation, open displays of LGBT identity have been pushed further underground. LGBT civil society organisations have been forced to close and Shanghai Pride, the country's biggest pride event, was suspended in 2020. In September, a horror film was digitally altered to turn a gay couple into a straight couple for its release in China."
Two popular Chinese gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, were removed from Apple's China storefront and several Android platforms after an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China. Users who had previously downloaded the apps remained able to use them, and both apps stayed available from their official websites. Apple said it follows local laws and removed the apps from the China storefront in accordance with the administration's order. Blued, founded in 2012, has over 40 million users; its parent acquired Finka in 2020. Open displays of LGBT identity have been increasingly pushed underground, with organisations forced to close and Shanghai Pride suspended.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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