Apple Cuts Top Gay Dating Apps from China Store

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Apple has taken down two prominent gay dating applications in China, Blued and Finka, from its local app store, in compliance with instructions from the Cyberspace Administration of China. This action is part of Beijing's persistent endeavor to control online content, impacting millions who used these applications to foster connections.

However, a "lite" version of Blued is still available on certain Chinese app stores, while alternative dating apps such as Jicco and Jack’d remain operational within the country. Blued has notably achieved tens of millions of downloads, serving as a vital platform for the Chinese LGBT community.

The decision has led to considerable unease among users. One community member remarked, “I wish those heterosexual policymakers could comprehend that love is unique—it isn’t something to be ashamed of or silenced.” This opinion underscores wider apprehensions regarding the visibility and rights of LGBT individuals in China, where advocacy groups endure increasing scrutiny.

China's rigorous internet regulations have historically impacted foreign applications. Well-known platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp are inaccessible, and Google Play is blocked, forcing Android users to rely on locally modified operating systems. In 2022, the US-based gay dating platform Grindr was also removed from Apple's China store amid the government's crackdown on content viewed as “illegal and inappropriate.”

The Cyberspace Administration of China has defended such actions by citing the necessity to “promote the standardized and healthy development of the internet industry.” While homosexuality was decriminalized in China in 1997, same-sex marriage is still not recognized, and activism contends with growing obstacles.

As the digital environment continues to become more restrictive, China's LGBT community is faced with navigating limited online avenues for connection, revealing the ongoing conflict between technology, legislation, and personal freedoms.