Apple has taken down WhatsApp and Threads, messaging apps owned by Meta (formerly Facebook), from the App Store in China due to national security concerns, as reported by Reuters.
Both WhatsApp, a widely used end-to-end encrypted messaging platform, and Threads, a newer social networking app, are no longer accessible for download on iPhones in China. Apple acknowledged the removal, attributing it to national security issues, although specifics are limited. Apple stated, “The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns.” Meta has not provided further comments and directed inquiries back to Apple.
Extension of App Removal
According to app monitoring entities Qimai and AppMagic, the removal of WhatsApp and Threads is part of a broader trend. There are reports indicating that Signal and Telegram, two messaging apps known for their emphasis on privacy, have also been taken down from the Chinese App Store. While Apple has not officially confirmed these additional removals, the AppleCensorship website, which tracks changes in the Chinese App Store, lists Signal and Telegram as “disappeared.”
Impact on Signal and Telegram
Signal president Meredith Whittaker clarified the situation by stating, “Signal was already blocked in China by the country’s Great Firewall.” Although Signal may have been downloadable previously, registrations and messages on the app are reportedly blocked in China. This implies that the removal from the App Store may not significantly affect users, as they would encounter obstacles in using the app even if downloaded. The scope of China’s recent actions against messaging apps remains unclear, shedding light on the ongoing conflict between national security interests and user privacy, especially in encrypted communication platforms.
