Apple Removes Gay Dating Apps From Chinese App Store

If only they didn't have an app store as the sole method to install apps…

This is a huge problem. When is enough, enough?

@Nathan, You think if there were alternative stores in China they would not remove those apps? Closing those stored would be even easier that banning entire Apple, it would be done in a day. That's not as trivial as allowing some additional stores. I do think that more stores is better though, it just would not make much difference in this case.

You might say that easy sideloading is the solution, but that most likely would lead to tons of CCP apps forced on every iPhone, and those apps would have zero overview from Apple. Macs are little different than iPhones, for example Facetime does not work on iPhones but does work on Macs. So the how side-loading of iPhones will be treated differently too.

Apple conceded to Russian requests and adds their store and a bunch of Russian official apps. So the fact that other stores are possible on the OS level only enforced the government grip on Apple in this case.

There is no such thing as side loading. Freely installing apps on a device you've bought is not some far out revolutionary idea.

"those apps would have zero overview from Apple"
The idea that Apple is doing anything other than putting lumps of gold on the desks for world leaders is frankly hilarious. They are all too happy to jump as high as they are told. Unless it's the EU of course. In Europe there is still a legal system with courts and stuff, so over here it pays of to be an obnoxious asshole.

The "Previously …" on this post is comedy and tragedy in equal measure.

@Sebby,

ironically, when the time will come Apple itself will be "removed" from China.

Those companies never learn. By appeasing they just little prolong their presence on the market, but in the end they will be forced to leave.

"that most likely would lead to tons of CCP apps forced on every iPhone (...) Apple conceded to Russian requests and adds their store and a bunch of Russian official apps"

So, the thing you think would happen if Apple allowed free app installation already happens?

I wonder if they'll fight this with the same vehemence they fight the EU laws.

Remember when Cook was applauded as "brave" when he came out ... in 2014? All the puff pieces from media? It's the same kind of "bravery" that Hollowood likes to taut when some celebrity gives a banal and empty speech to a captive audience and when they are done, they get a standing ovation because everyone in the auditorium agrees with them.

Meanwhile, Cook and the entire Apple leadership have shown what spineless, greedy wonks they are, willing to bend to any authoritarian demand, domestic or otherwise, while using 1984-style rhetoric to protect their monopolistic rackets. True bravery right there. Real courage. And of course, zero accountability from the same media that gushed just a decade ago how "brave" Cook was.

Remember this gold?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=3ygNKNaMv4c

Anyone keeping a score card of how well the current leadership is doing, by Cook's own standards? He must be "thrilled".