• Source:Reuters
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Cupertino-based tech giant Apple removed two apps of Meta Platforms in China from its App Store. The two apps - WhatsApp and Threads were removed on the grounds of national security concerns as ordered by the Chinese authorities. According to Reuters, other apps of Meta such as Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram were available as of Friday morning. Plus, Google's YouTube and X (formerly called Twitter) remained available.

The Cyberspace Administration of China had asked for the removal of these apps, Apple shared with the news outlet. "The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns. We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree," the statement said.

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The app continues to remain available on the company's other storefronts. Chinese users can download the apps from the Apple App Store in other regions with an iCloud account. Experts speculate that the move could be triggered because of a rule that requires apps in China to register with the state or bear the risks of removal. The deadline to comply with the directive was March end as the rule come into effect on April 1.

This is not the first time China has adopted to app removal. For quick background, the tech giant removed The New York Times citing violation of local rules amid the press censorship in those times in China. It continues to remain unavailable in the country on the Apple App Store. Beijing also scrapped many ChatGPT-like apps while working on generative AI regulations last year.

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The recent removal of Threads and WhatsApp was first reportedly by The Wall Street Journal. This news comes as Meta continues to bet big on Meta AI integration across its social media apps like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and more.

With inputs from Reuters