[post update] apple authoritarian govs

_posts/2021-03-30-apple-cooperation-with-authoritarian-governments.md

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ layout: post
 categories: [essays]
 tags: [tech, politics, capitalism, apple]
 date: 2021-03-30T19:56:17-07:00
-date-updated: 2023-12-06T13:39:11-08:00
+date-updated: 2024-04-29T20:59:36-07:00
 title: Apple's cooperation with authoritarian governments
 ---
 
@@ -276,6 +276,14 @@ message="Most recent updates below."
 
 See also: [MacRumors](https://www.macrumors.com/2023/12/06/apple-governments-surveil-push-notifications/), [Michael Tsai](https://mjtsai.com/blog/2023/12/06/governments-using-push-notifications-to-surveil-users/), [9to5Mac](https://9to5mac.com/2023/12/06/push-notification-spying/), [Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/12/06/push-notifications-surveillance-apple-google/), and [404 Media: _Here's a Warrant Showing the U.S. Government is Monitoring Push Notifications_](https://www.404media.co/us-government-warrant-monitoring-push-notifications-apple-google-yahoo/).
 
+##### April 2024 --- Apple removes popular messaging apps from App Store in China
+
+[MacRumors](https://www.macrumors.com/2024/04/19/apple-pulls-whatsapp-telegram-signal-threads-china/):
+
+> Apple on late Thursday into Friday removed the popular messaging and social media apps WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Threads from its App Store in China at the request of the Chinese government [...]
+>
+> Apple has complied with similar App Store removal orders from the Chinese government in the past for apps related to VPNs, news, and more.
+
 ### Conclusion
 
 So what does any of this have to do with app developers? Why should we care? When it comes to the iOS App Store, Apple controls where we are allowed to distribute our apps. More importantly, Apple has the unilateral power remove our apps from *any* App Store region *at any time* to nurture its relationship with whatever unsavory government it is interested in pleasing in order to pursue its political motives or financial objectives.