Chinese authorities have ordered the removal of two widely used gay dating apps from the country’s mobile app stores, Apple confirmed to AFP on Tuesday
Same-s3x marriage remains illegal in China, and LGBTQ+ individuals often face widespread discrimination. Activists say efforts to suppress LGBTQ+ expression have intensified in recent years, particularly under President Xi Jinping.
Over the weekend, Chinese social media users noticed that the full versions of Blued and Finka—both owned by a Hong Kong-based company—had disappeared from Apple and Android app stores.
“Based on an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China, we have removed these two apps from the China storefront only,” an Apple spokesperson told AFP.
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) is the country’s top internet regulator and censor, which has recently penalized social media platforms over content management.
“We follow the laws in the countries where we operate,” the Apple spokesperson added. Earlier this year, the Finka developer had voluntarily removed the app from stores outside China, while Blued was available only in China.
AFP could not immediately reach the CAC or the apps’ owner for comment.
An express version of Blued is still available for download in China, while an international version called HeeSay remains accessible outside the country. The app claims to connect “54 million LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide,” according to Apple’s store description.
In 2022, the popular gay dating app Grindr was removed from Chinese app stores during a CAC clean-up campaign ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Blued, however, had remained available at that time.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
Better
Good one
Good riddance to bad rubbish