Apple pulls Meta-owned WhatsApp and Threads from App Store in China
iPhone sales fell 24 per cent over the period due to stiff competition, according to Counterpoint Research.
Apple on Friday said that it removed Meta-owned WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China at the request of the Chinese government.
As per the iPhone maker, the country's internet regulator Cyberspace Administration of China had ordered the applications' removal from the App Store because of 'national security concerns', reports The Financial Times.
"We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree," Apple was quoted as saying.
According to the report, Meta's other communications platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger are still available on the App Store in the country.
According to Rich Bishop, chief executive of the leading international app publisher in China, AppInChina, the apps were delisted after the Chinese government's internet regulator and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced a deadline of April 1 for app developers to register with the government.
In China, Apple saw a double-digit decline in overall smartphone unit sales in the first six weeks of 2024.
iPhone sales fell 24 per cent over the period due to stiff competition, according to Counterpoint Research.
"Although the iPhone 15 is a great device, it has no significant upgrades from the previous version, so consumers feel fine holding on to the older-generation iPhones for now," said Senior Analyst Mengmeng Zhang.
Get Latest Business News, Stock Market Updates and Videos; Check your tax outgo through Income Tax Calculator and save money through our Personal Finance coverage. Check Business Breaking News Live on Zee Business Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
SRH vs GT IPL 2024 Ticket Booking Online: Where and how to buy SRH vs GT tickets online - Check IPL Match 66 ticket price, other details
Top 7 SWP Mutual Funds: Rs 50 lakh investment, Rs 70K monthly pension for 10 years, and Rs 42.30 lakh balance value; know more details
Gold and Silver rate today (May 13, 2024): Precious metal under pressure; yellow metal near Rs 72,400, white metal above Rs 84,600
SIP Returns: How Rs 3,000, 5,000, and Rs 10,000 SIPs can help you build retirement corpus of Rs 1.06 cr, Rs 1.77 cr, and Rs 3.53 cr
01:52 PM IST