Overview
- Apple confirmed to AFP that it removed Blued and Finka from the Chinese App Store at the instruction of the state internet authority.
- Both apps also disappeared from several Android app stores available in China, according to multiple reports.
- Users who already have the apps installed report they can still use them, though the full versions no longer appear in official stores.
- Operator Newborn Town did not immediately comment, and China’s internet regulator could not be reached for a statement.
- Security analysts warn the removals could prompt sideloading from unverified sites, increasing exposure to malware and privacy risks.