Apple Removes 'New York Times' App From App Store In China

Here's a story you won't find the the Chinese edition of the New York Times: Apple has removed the New York Times news app from its App Store in China in response to a request from Chinese authorities, according to a report from the news organization in question.

The English-language and Chinese-language versions of the Times app disappeared from Apple's App Store in China Dec. 23, despite other publications with international presence like the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal remaining available.

“We have been informed that the app is in violation of local regulations,” Fred Sainz, an Apple spokesman, told the New York Times. “As a result, the app must be taken down off the China App Store. When this situation changes, the App Store will once again offer the New York Times app for download in China.”

Apple's spokesperson declined to provide further information on what local regulations the apps had violated. The spokesperson also did not provide any information as to who exactly contacted Apple about the apps and didn't disclose if a court order or other legal document was presented regarding the apps.

The Cyberspace Administration of China, the country's primary internet regulator, also provided the Times with no additional information about the removal. The organization's bureau in Beijing was not contacted by the Chinese government prior to the removal of the apps.

Eileen Murphy, a New York Times spokeswoman, said the company has asked Apple to reconsider its decision.

The Times theorized the removal request was made under a set of regulations imposed by China in June of last year. The rules, titled the Provisions on the Administration of Mobile Internet Application Information Services, say apps cannot “engage in activities prohibited by laws and regulations such as endangering national security, disrupting social order and violating the legitimate rights and interests of others.” Apps also aren't allow to publish “prohibited” information, according to the cyberspace administration.

The removal of the New York Times apps from the App Store is the highest profile instance of Apple's acquiescence to China's efforts to censor certain content. The company even blocked access to its own News app in an effort to meet the requirements of the Chinese government.

China previously censored the New York Times website in 2012 following a series of articles on profiteering by the family of then-Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

Readers in China can still access information from the New York TImes and other censored publications using virtual private networks (VPNs) that spoof their location to a region that is not restricted, though China has repeatedly cracked down on the use of the software that allows such a workaround.