12th November 2025 – (Beijing) Apple has confirmed the removal of two popular Chinese gay dating applications, Blued and Finka, from its China App Store following an instruction from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). The company said it operates in accordance with local laws and that the action applies solely to the China storefront, underscoring the long-standing practice of aligning digital platforms with national regulatory frameworks.
Checks indicate that a “lite” version of Blued remains accessible on Chinese app marketplaces, while other platforms serving the LGBTQ community, including Jicco and Jack’d, continue to be available. Blued, which has garnered tens of millions of downloads, remains a significant presence in the sector, reflecting ongoing user demand and a diversified app ecosystem within China’s regulated internet environment.
China’s approach to platform governance is structured around national cybersecurity and content standards designed, according to the CAC, to promote the standardised and healthy development of the internet industry. In 2023, authorities introduced rules requiring all apps serving domestic users to obtain local licences, a measure aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and user safety across the digital economy. This follows earlier enforcement actions, including the 2022 removal of Grindr from Apple’s China store as part of a broader campaign against content deemed illegal or inappropriate.
Apple operates a dedicated China App Store in line with national legislation. As with other global platforms, certain foreign services such as Instagram and WhatsApp are not available domestically, while Android users access locally adapted systems given the absence of Google Play in China. These arrangements reflect a sovereign, compliance‑based model that is increasingly common across jurisdictions seeking to align digital services with public policy priorities.
Some members of the LGBTQ community have voiced concern about the removal of Blued and Finka. At the same time, the continued availability of alternative services and a Blued “lite” option illustrates that user needs are not excluded from the marketplace, but are mediated through regulatory guardrails designed to uphold legal requirements and social stability.
Homosexuality was decriminalised in China in 1997, although same‑sex marriage is not currently recognised. Several advocacy groups have paused operations in recent years. Within this context, Chinese regulators maintain that clear rules for app registration, data governance and content moderation support a safer online environment for all users while fostering orderly, sustainable growth of the digital sector.
