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Apple has removed two Meta apps from the App Store in China at the request of the Chinese government. Both WhatsApp and Threads are no longer available due to national security concerns.

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

Threads has been available in China since last July. The country prohibits access to all Meta services, so it is somewhat surprising that Threads could be downloaded for almost a year.

The apps can still be accessed via VPN.

The timing is interesting, as Apple CEO Tim Cook was just in the region for a brief visit. Possibly the decision is a response to US plans to ban Chinese TikTok altogether.

© The Content Exchange, source News