In a significant move impacting digital freedom and LGBTQ+ rights in China, technology giant Apple has removed two of the country's most popular gay dating applications from its App Store. The action was taken after the company received a direct order from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the nation's primary internet regulator and censorship body.
The Regulatory Order and Apple's Compliance
The removal of the apps, named Blued and Finka, was first brought to light by the publication Wired. An Apple spokesperson confirmed the development, stating, "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 clarification highlights that the ban is geographically restricted to mainland China and does not affect Apple's App Stores in other regions.
While existing users who have already downloaded the applications can continue to use them, the block on new downloads is comprehensive. This restriction is not limited to Apple's iOS ecosystem but also extends across various Android platforms available in the country, indicating a broader regulatory crackdown.
A Deepening Crackdown on LGBTQ+ Expression
This takedown represents the latest in a series of setbacks for China's LGBTQ+ community. Despite the decriminalization of homosexuality in the 1990s, the community faces increasing restrictions. Same-sex marriage remains illegal, and the Chinese Communist Party has intensified its control over LGBTQ+ expression in recent years.
The list of banned platforms is growing. The popular global app Grindr was removed from Apple's Chinese storefront back in 2022. Furthermore, major gay rights organizations have been forced to shut down, and social media companies actively censor content and accounts related to LGBTQ+ topics. The removal of Blued and Finka underscores the government's tightening grip on civil liberties and digital spaces.
Impact on Users and the Future of the Apps
The scale of this removal is substantial. Blued alone reported over 49 million registered users and 6 million monthly active users as of 2020. The platform had already shown signs of trouble this past July when it unexpectedly suspended new user registrations. This unexplained move created a black market where prospective users were paying up to $20 for secondhand accounts before registrations were mysteriously restored in mid-August.
Both Blued and Finka are operated by BlueCity, a company that was acquired by the Hong Kong-based social media firm Newborn Town in 2022. Beyond their core dating services, BlueCity is known for its healthcare initiatives and a nonprofit dedicated to HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness.
The critical question now is whether this ban is permanent. There is a precedent in China for apps to return to storefronts after implementing modifications mandated by the government. However, no official timeline or indication has been provided regarding a potential reinstatement for either Blued or Finka, leaving millions of users in a state of uncertainty about the future of their digital community spaces.
