China has taken a significant step in silencing the LGBTQ+ community by removing two popular gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, from app stores. The move comes after a government order from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), citing compliance issues.
Apple, which removed the apps, stated, “We follow the laws in the countries where we operate. Based on an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China, we have removed these two apps from the China storefront only.”
The removal of Blued and Finka has sparked concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates, who see it as part of a broader crackdown on queer expression in China. “The living space for sexual minorities has been shrinking for years, but this move hits our online lifeline too,” said a founder of a local LGBT organization.
Blued, launched in 2012, is Asia’s largest gay social network, with over 40 million users worldwide. Finka, acquired by Blued’s parent company BlueCity in 2020, targets a younger demographic.
This isn’t the first time China has targeted gay dating apps; Grindr was removed from Chinese app stores in 2022. The move has raised questions about China’s commitment to LGBTQ+ rights, despite decriminalizing homosexuality in 1997.