Apple Deletes WhatsApp And Threads From China To Appease CCP

Apple removed WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China on Friday. The Chinese government recently demanded Apple do so, citing national security concerns.

"The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns," Apple said in an emailed statement to the New York Post.

"We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree."

Apple also removed Telegram and Signal from its store earlier in the week, according to the app tracking firm AppMagic.

Cyberspace Administration, a governmental regulatory arm of the Chinese government, disclosed that the four apps included political content it deemed unfavorable toward President Xi Jinping.

China previously blocked user access to Google, YouTube, Pinterest, X/Twitter, Tumblr, Blogger, and Snapchat. Granted, some Chinese internet users skirted such social media restrictions via virtual private networks (VPNs) that disguise the user’s online identity.

Tech companies, particularly Apple, tend to acquiesce swiftly to the CCP's commands. In 2020, Apple limited file-sharing for Chinese iPhone users as they used social media to organize rallies denouncing the Chinese government's handling of Covid-19.

Plus, Apple needs to keep China on its side as it struggles to combat unexpected product declines.

Shipments of Apple iPhones decreased 10 percent during the first three months of the year, Apple's largest slump since the pandemic. Consequently, the plunge cost the iPhone its status as the world’s No.1 phone maker to Samsung.

Translation: expect more green text bubbles.

Foreign tourists are walking past an Apple store in Shanghai, China, on April 11, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The relationship between Apple and China runs deep. China represents nearly a fifth of Apple's sales. China is home to one of Apple Inc.'s key production centers. Further, Apple continues to offer China discounts to help boost sales.

In 2021, the New York Times reported that Apple agreed to store the personal data of its Chinese customers in a database whose computer servers are controlled by a Chinese-owned company.

Apple's compromised relationship with China was reportedly to be the catalyst behind Jon Stewart's surprise ousting from AppleTV+ last year. Stewart said he departed after his then-employer rejected his planned coverage of the Chinese Communist Party during an upcoming season of his weekly streaming program, "The Problem."

House lawmakers have since sent a bipartisan letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook to learn if reports about Stewart's firing are true.

"If these reports are accurate, it potentially speaks to broader concerns about indirect Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence over the creative expression of American artists and companies on CCP-related topics," said the letter signed by chairman Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.) and ranking member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois). 

"We support the ability of artists, writers, studios, and streaming services alike to create content without fear of potential CCP retaliation and punishment."

Apple has yet to address reports regarding Stewart. Apple is busy deleting apps for, and storing user information on behalf of, China. 

Meanwhile, the CCP continues to access U.S. information via the Beijing-controlled TikTok app – an actual national security threat.