Apple Removes Blued, Finka from China App Store

Apple has removed two of China's most popular gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, from its App Store in the country following a directive from the nation's internet regulator. The action, reported over the weekend, affects only the Chinese storefront and comes as part of broader compliance with local laws, according to an Apple spokesperson.

The apps, which cater primarily to the LGBTQ community, are no longer available for new downloads on iOS devices in China, and similar removals have occurred on several Android app stores. Users who already have Blued or Finka installed can continue to access them, but the move limits options for new users seeking such platforms. Blued, with more than 49 million registered users as of 2020, and Finka, acquired by Blued's parent company BlueCity in the same year, were available exclusively in China. BlueCity, now owned by Hong Kong-listed Newborn Town, also operates in health initiatives, including a nonprofit focused on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.

An Apple spokesperson stated in an email, "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...