Apple has removed two of China’s most popular gay dating apps — Blued and Finka — from its App Store in compliance with an order from the country’s Cyberspace Administration.
The two platforms are among the largest dating apps serving the LGBTQ+ community in China. According to The Independent, Apple took the action after being directed by the Chinese internet regulator.
In a statement, Apple explained:
“We follow the laws in the countries where we operate. Based on an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China, we have removed these two apps from the China storefront only.”
The decision marks another setback for China’s LGBTQ+ population, who already face tight restrictions and limited legal protections.
While homosexuality was decriminalized in 1997, same-sex marriage remains illegal in China, and LGBTQ+ representation in film and media continues to face strict censorship.
This is not the first time such platforms have been targeted — the gay dating app Grindr was similarly removed from China’s App Store in 2022.
Users who had previously downloaded Blued and Finka, however, report that the apps still function on their devices for now.
Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, who publicly came out as gay in 2014, has frequently emphasized the company’s commitment to equality and inclusion. Apple is known for supporting LGBTQ+ rights globally through Pride-themed products and donations to advocacy groups.
The move underscores the tension between Apple’s global image as an advocate for inclusion and the local regulatory constraints it must navigate in key markets like China.
