Apple has removed two of China’s most popular gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, from its App Store following an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the country’s top internet regulator. The move highlights China’s increasing crackdown on LGBTQ+ digital spaces and the growing influence of government censorship on global tech platforms.
An Apple spokesperson confirmed the removal, stating, “We follow the laws in the countries where we operate.” The company did not elaborate on the specific reasons behind the directive, but reports indicate it stems from a broader campaign by Chinese authorities to tighten control over online content and social platforms that discuss sexuality, identity, and social issues.
Blued, launched in 2012, is one of the world’s largest gay social networking apps with over 60 million users globally, many of whom are based in China. Finka, another fast-growing platform catering to young LGBTQ+ users, has also gained significant popularity for fostering community engagement and dating connections. The removal of both apps leaves China’s LGBTQ+ community with few safe and accessible digital spaces for connection and expression.
This is not the first time China has taken such action. In 2022, Grindr, another international gay dating app, was removed from the Chinese App Store under similar circumstances. Over the years, Chinese regulators have increased pressure on online platforms, targeting content that “violates social values” or challenges state-defined cultural norms.
Human rights advocates argue that these moves represent a broader effort to suppress the visibility of LGBTQ+ voices and communities in China. While LGBTQ+ relationships are not illegal in the country, discussions around gender identity and sexuality have become increasingly restricted both online and offline.
Apple’s compliance with the removal order underscores the difficult balance global tech companies face between adhering to local regulations and supporting human rights and freedom of expression. For many LGBTQ+ individuals in China, the disappearance of Blued and Finka marks not just a loss of convenience but the erosion of one of the few remaining digital spaces for community and belonging.
