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Two of China’s most popular gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, have been removed from Apple’s App Store and various Android marketplaces following a directive from the Chinese government. The takedown was mandated by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the country's principal internet censorship and regulatory body.
Apple confirmed it was compelled to act, stating it must comply with the laws of the countries where it operates. The company received an order from China's top internet regulator to remove the apps due to content that is illegal in China. This move highlights the continued pressure global tech firms face when navigating China's stringent regulatory environment. The apps are no longer searchable or available for download on the Chinese version of the App Store.
Blued's parent company, BlueCity, acknowledged the removal on its website. The company announced a "temporary suspension" of the app's download service while it works to "optimize and refine content" to better adhere to regulatory requirements. BlueCity, once listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange before being taken private, was a pioneer in providing digital community spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals in China. Finka's parent company has not yet issued a public statement on the matter, as reported by several news outlets.
This action is the latest in a series of moves by Beijing to control online content and restrict spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. While homosexuality was decriminalized in China in 1997, the community still faces widespread social stigma and increasing official pressure. In recent years, authorities have shut down LGBTQ+ student groups at universities and censored queer representation in media as part of a broader government campaign to enforce conformity with Communist Party ideology. The disappearance of these platforms marks a significant setback for a community that relies heavily on digital apps for connection and support, further isolating millions of users.
