China's LGBTQ+ Community Faces Setback as Apple Removes Blued and Finka Dating Apps
Apple has removed Blued and Finka, two of China's most popular gay dating apps, from its App Store following an order from China's Cyberspace Administration. This move represents another significant setback for China's LGBTQ+ community, which has faced increasing pressure in recent years. While the apps remain functional for existing users, the removal limits access for new users and signals continued government scrutiny of LGBTQ+ digital spaces in a country where same-sex marriage remains unrecognized and LGBTQ+ content faces frequent censorship.
The removal of Blued and Finka from Apple's App Store in China represents another significant setback for the country's LGBTQ+ community, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized groups in China's increasingly restrictive digital environment. Following an order from China's main internet regulator and censorship authority, Apple confirmed it has removed these two popular gay dating apps from its China storefront, though they remain functional for users who already have them downloaded.
Government Order Forces App Removal
Apple stated that it follows the laws in countries where it operates and acted based on a specific order from the Cyberspace Administration of China. The company clarified that the removal affects only the China storefront, noting that Finka's developer had previously elected to remove the app from storefronts outside China earlier this year, while Blued was available exclusively in China. This development continues a pattern of LGBTQ+ app restrictions in China, where Grindr was removed from Apple's Chinese App Store in 2022, and most international LGBTQ+ dating apps remain blocked.
Broader Context of LGBTQ+ Rights in China
While China decriminalized homosexuality in the 1990s, the government does not recognize same-sex marriage, and the LGBTQ+ community has faced increasing pressure in recent years. As the Chinese Communist Party tightens control over civil society and free expression, several prominent gay rights organizations have shut down, and social media companies frequently censor LGBTQ+ content and accounts. The removal of Blued and Finka represents the latest in a series of restrictions affecting the community's digital spaces and organizational capacity.
Impact on China's LGBTQ+ Community
The removal of these apps significantly impacts China's LGBTQ+ community's ability to connect and organize. Blued, which had over 49 million registered users and 6 million monthly active users as of 2020, represented one of the few remaining major platforms specifically serving this community. The timing is particularly notable given that Blued had recently resumed new user registration in mid-August after abruptly stopping it in July, during which Chinese users were paying up to $20 for secondhand Blued accounts on ecommerce websites.
Uncertain Future for LGBTQ+ Digital Spaces
It remains unclear whether the removal of Blued and Finka is temporary or permanent. Historically, some Chinese apps have been able to return to app stores after undergoing changes requested by the Cyberspace Administration of China. However, the pattern of increasing restrictions suggests a challenging environment for LGBTQ+ digital platforms. The situation reflects broader tensions between technological accessibility and government control in China's digital ecosystem.
The removal of Blued and Finka from Apple's App Store represents more than just the disappearance of two apps—it signals continued challenges for China's LGBTQ+ community in maintaining digital spaces for connection and support. As government controls tighten and digital platforms face increasing scrutiny, the community's ability to organize and connect faces significant obstacles. The situation underscores the complex relationship between technology, corporate responsibility, and human rights in one of the world's largest digital markets.
