Grindr is still struggling in China. Bloomberg report gay dating apps have disappear from Apple’s App Store in the country, with researchers at Qimai estimating the software was removed on January 27. There was no immediate explanation for the departure, but it was given just a few days. after China’s Cyberspace Administration launched a campaign to crack down on illegal online material, pornography and rumors before Winter Olympic Games.
We have asked Apple and Grindr for comment. The app’s departure comes after weeks of problems with Grindr’s service, such as problems adding likes or sending messages.
Homosexuality is not a crime in China. However, the country sometimes censors gay and other LGBT content. Bloomberg Note The National Television and Radio Administration recently used the term homophobic to criticize men with androgynous appearances, and called for a boycott of gay love stories. male. If regulators do order Grindr’s removal, it could be part of a larger campaign to impose social conformity.
With that said, Grindr has had a strained relationship with the Chinese government. This company was owned by China before forced to sell due to US sanctions, and China-based rivals like Blued are still on the App Store despite Grindr’s disappearance. If those apps still exist, their presence would suggest that China should opt for Grindr over targeting all gay dating apps.
Whatever the reason, this removal highlights an ongoing problem for Apple and other foreign app store owners looking to operate in China. While they may welcome the important roles of freedom and privacy in their host countries, China’s rules often force them to pull the app or exclude features if they want to continue to participate in one of the largest mobile device markets in the world. Simply put, companies like Apple must accept compromises if they want to maintain a substantial Chinese presence.
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