Signal, Telegram join WhatsApp as Apple removes these apps from App Store in China

signal telegram china

On the instance of the Chinese government, Apple removed WhatsApp and Threads from the App Store. Now, it has been reported that two other popular messaging apps — Signal and Telegram — have also been yanked off by Apple.

In a statement given to Reuters, Apple said “We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree”. Furthermore, the company made it clear that because of national security concerns, China had ordered the apps to be removed from the App Store.  “The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns. These apps remain available for download on all other storefronts where they appear,” Apple said in the statement.

The move comes as no surprise, with China having a long history of blocking foreign apps and websites, claiming that they do not comply with its internet regulations. These regulations often focus on data privacy, content control, and censorship — something apps by US companies feel are restrictive.

Signal and Telegram join a growing list of unavailable apps that include social media giants like Facebook and Instagram, video platform YouTube, and even Wikipedia.

In 2023, Meta launched its answer to Twitter in the form of Threads. Surprisingly, the app was available in China and, in fact, was among the top 5 apps when it made its debut. WhatsApp too was available to download but didn’t really work. Users had to rely on VPN and other tricks to use popular social media apps in China. China’s WeChat remains one of the most widely used social media app in the country.

Also read: Apple faces worst iPhone slump since Covid as China rivals rise

Apple removes WhatsApp, Threads from App Store after China crackdown