Apple has removed two popular gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, from its Chinese app store after a government order, intensifying concerns over LGBT rights in the country. The move, confirmed by Apple, highlights the challenges faced by the community in accessing digital spaces for connection.
On Tuesday, Apple announced the removal of Blued and Finka from its app store in China, complying with an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China. An Apple spokesperson stated that the company follows local laws, and the apps are now unavailable for new downloads in the country. This decision affects one of the few remaining gay dating platforms accessible in China, where many international apps are blocked. Users who had already installed the apps may still use them, but the removal limits options for the LGBT community.
Blued and Finka are among the most widely-used gay dating apps in China, with Blued boasting tens of millions of downloads. Their popularity stems from providing a safe space for individuals to connect in a society with limited acceptance. The removal has sparked alarm, with one user expressing that love should not be seen as shameful. This reaction reflects broader fears about increasing restrictions on LGBT expression in China.
The impact extends to Android platforms, where the apps have also been removed from several local app stores, as Google Play is blocked in China. A “lite” version of Blued remains available, and other apps like Jicco and Jack’d are still accessible, indicating a selective crackdown. However, the community worries that more platforms could face similar fates, further eroding their digital freedoms.
This action is part of a broader trend, as popular US-based app Grindr was removed in 2022, and new regulations in 2023 required apps to register for licenses. The Chinese government justifies these measures as promoting standardized internet development, but they often target content deemed inappropriate. Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1997, but same-sex marriage is illegal, and advocacy groups have shut down, compounding the challenges.
Looking ahead, the removal could lead to increased isolation for China’s LGBT population and draw international criticism of Apple’s compliance. It may also prompt discussions on the balance between business operations and human rights in restrictive regimes. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle for LGBT rights in digital and societal spheres.
