Apple removed Meta’s WhatsApp and Threads apps in China due to national security concerns. Despite tensions between US and China, other Meta apps remain available while Apple invests in Southeast Asia.
In China, Apple removed Meta’s WhatsApp messaging app and Threads social media app from the App Store due to orders from Chinese authorities regarding national security concerns. This move comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and China over trade, technology, and security. While apps like WhatsApp and Threads are not widely used in China, the popular messaging app WeChat remains dominant, owned by Chinese company Tencent.
Other Meta apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger are still available for download, even though the use of foreign apps like these is restricted in China by the “Great Firewall”. Apple stated that they are obliged to comply with the laws in the countries where they operate, including China. CEO Tim Cook has been visiting Southeast Asia, including stops in Hanoi, Jakarta, and Singapore, where he discussed expanding Apple’s presence through investments and partnerships.
Apple, once the world’s top smartphone maker, has faced challenges in China with declining sales after government agencies prohibited employees of state-owned companies from using Apple devices. To diversify its manufacturing bases, Apple has been expanding outside of China. Cook met with government officials in Vietnam and Indonesia to discuss opportunities for growth and investment in these countries, showcasing Apple’s commitment to doing business in the region.
Source : Apple pulls WhatsApp and Threads from App Store on Beijing’s orders
