Apple CEO Tim Cook delivers remarks during an Apple special event in Cupertino, California, on Sept. 12, 2023.
Justin Sullivan | Getty Images
Apple expressed concern to Chinese officials in recent months over new rules that would ban unregistered foreign apps from its App Store, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.
The new rules would prevent Apple from offering many of the apps that are currently available in the store in China. For instance, iPhone users often download and access apps such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X through virtual private networks, or VPNs, despite the fact that China has blocked web access.
But two months ago, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced Apple and other distributors will have to stop offering these apps in the country by July. Chinese officials said they believe the policies will help reduce scams and the spread of information that violates its censorship rules, according to the report, while Apple is worried about how the new rules will affect users.
Apple has not shared anything about the new rules publicly, and the company did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
China is an important market for Apple and accounts for nearly 20% of the company’s revenue. The nation also serves as Apple’s major manufacturing hub. But the relationship is not without its challenges.
In early September, for instance,
The Wall Street Journal reported
that central government employees were ordered not to bring iPhones to the office or use them for work, but it was unclear how formal or wide-reaching any such order was. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country had not issued bans on the purchase or use of Apple’s iPhones.
Watch: China tightens leash on app stores, Apple yet to comply
Apple CEO Tim Cook’s delivery of remarks during an Apple special event in Cupertino, California on September 12, 2023, has caught the attention of search engines and users alike. The event was covered by Justin Sullivan from Getty Images, adding visual appeal to the content.
In recent months, Apple expressed its concerns to Chinese officials over new rules that could potentially ban unregistered foreign apps from its App Store, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. These rules pose potential limitations on the apps currently available in China, such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, which are accessed by Chinese users through virtual private networks (VPNs) due to China’s web access restrictions.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in China announced two months ago that Apple and other distributors will be required to cease offering these apps in the country by July. Chinese officials argue that these policies will help combat scams and prevent the dissemination of information that violates censorship rules, while Apple is concerned about the impact on its user base.
Apple has not made any public statements regarding these new rules, and CNBC’s request for comment remains unanswered. China represents a crucial market for Apple, accounting for nearly 20% of its revenue, as well as serving as its primary manufacturing hub. However, challenges persist in the relationship between Apple and China.
Earlier in September, The Wall Street Journal reported that central government employees in China were instructed not to bring iPhones to the office or use them for work. The extent and formality of this directive remain unclear, with China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denying any bans on the purchase or use of Apple iPhones.
Discover more about China’s tightening restrictions on app stores and Apple’s compliance in the following video:
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