Ask Onix
Apple removes two major gay dating apps in China following government directive
Apple has removed Blued and Finka, two of China's most widely used gay dating apps, from its Chinese App Store after receiving an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the company confirmed on Wednesday.
"We follow the laws of the countries where we operate. Based on an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China, we have removed these two apps from the China storefront only," an Apple spokesperson stated. The decision does not affect availability in other regions.
Impact on LGBTQ+ community and app availability
The removal has sparked concerns among China's LGBTQ+ community, where apps like Blued-with tens of millions of downloads-have played a key role in social networking. A "lite" version of Blued remains accessible on Chinese app stores, according to checks by the BBC, while other platforms such as Jicco and Jack'd continue to operate.
One user reacted to the news on social media, stating, "I hope those heterosexual policymakers can understand that love is rare-it's not something shameful or unspeakable."
Broader context: China's app regulations and LGBTQ+ rights
Apple maintains a separate App Store for China, complying with the country's strict internet laws. Global platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp are already blocked, while Android users rely on localized app stores due to the absence of Google Play.
The removal follows a pattern of tightening controls. In 2022, Grindr was pulled from Apple's China storefront amid a CAC crackdown on "illegal and inappropriate" content. The following year, Beijing introduced new licensing rules for all domestic apps, leading to the removal of numerous foreign services. The CAC justified the measures as necessary to "promote the standardised and healthy development of the internet industry."
Legal and social backdrop
While China decriminalized homosexuality in 1997, same-sex marriage remains unrecognized, and LGBTQ+ advocacy has faced increasing restrictions. Organizations like the Beijing LGBT Center and ShanghaiPride have halted operations in recent years amid a broader clampdown on civil society.
The BBC has reached out to the Chinese embassy in Washington, Blued, and Finka for comment but has not yet received a response.
