Apple Appears to Deactivate Its News App In China

By Tanya Basu

October 11, 2015

Apple has shut down its news app in China, becoming the latest Western company to face challenges in amidst the country’s stringent online media rules.

The News app—which customizes a news feed according to user preferences—launched in June and is currently only available to users in the U.S. Customers who travel abroad can still access the app, but users who have tried to use it in China have reported the app displays an error message that reads, “Can’t refresh right now. News isn’t supported in your current region.”

The New York Times reports that China is Apple’s second largest market after the United States, with $13 billion in sales annually. An unnamed source told the Times that the company opted to deactivate its News App instead of creating a special newsfeed that cut out sensitive content from foreign media.

Some in the tech field are troubled by what they see as Apple bowing to Chinese censorship. Larry Salibra, founder of Pay4bugs, wrote about his experiences attempting to access the News App feature in China in a blog post, calling the incident the “China Kill Switch.”

“What worries me, is that the mechanism Apple uses to disable the News app and Apple Maps uses the location of the user to change the behavior of their device without their permission, even if the location service is disabled in the privacy settings,” he wrote.

See Steve Jobs’ Legacy in 16 Photos

<strong>1976</strong>
Apple I was Apple's first computer, which became obsolete within a year. Today, they are auctioned off as collector's items.

1976 Apple I was Apple's first computer, which became obsolete within a year. Today, they are auctioned off as collector's items.

Justin Sullivan—Getty Images

<strong>1977</strong> Apple II was the follow up to the Apple I computer. Apple II proved highly successful and spawned several variations.

1977 Apple II was the follow up to the Apple I computer. Apple II proved highly successful and spawned several variations.

Ralph Morse—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

<strong>1983</strong> Lisa was Apple's office computer that was the first personal computer to use a graphical user interface. It was a commercial flop, largely because it retailed for a whopping $10,000.

1983 Lisa was Apple's office computer that was the first personal computer to use a graphical user interface. It was a commercial flop, largely because it retailed for a whopping $10,000.

Ted Thai—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

<strong>1991</strong> NeXT Station was a workstation computer manufactured by NeXT, a computer company Steve Jobs founded in 1985 after he was forced out of Apple. After Apple acquired NeXT in 1996, Jobs rejoined Apple.

1991 NeXT Station was a workstation computer manufactured by NeXT, a computer company Steve Jobs founded in 1985 after he was forced out of Apple. After Apple acquired NeXT in 1996, Jobs rejoined Apple.

Kristy MacDonald—dapd/AP

<strong>1995</strong> Pixar's <i>Toy Story</i> was the film studio's first feature film in 1995. Pixar had spun out from a larger graphics corporation in 1986 with funding from Steve Jobs.

1995 Pixar's Toy Story was the film studio's first feature film in 1995. Pixar had spun out from a larger graphics corporation in 1986 with funding from Steve Jobs.

Alan Dejecacion—Getty Images

<strong>1998</strong> The iMac was originally released in 1998, and it was the first Mac computer to have a USB drive but no floppy disk. Many media outlets heralded it as a game changer. Over two million were sold in two years.

1998 The iMac was originally released in 1998, and it was the first Mac computer to have a USB drive but no floppy disk. Many media outlets heralded it as a game changer. Over two million were sold in two years.

John G. Mabanglo—AFP/Getty Images

<strong>1999</strong> The iBook was a line of laptop computers designed for use in schools. The computer, called the "iMac to go," was a huge hit with several upgrades over the years.

1999 The iBook was a line of laptop computers designed for use in schools. The computer, called the "iMac to go," was a huge hit with several upgrades over the years.

Ted Thai—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

<strong>1999</strong> The Power Mac G3 was a personal computer in the Power Macintosh line. Its upgraded hardware meant it was faster than most other computers on the market.

1999 The Power Mac G3 was a personal computer in the Power Macintosh line. Its upgraded hardware meant it was faster than most other computers on the market.

Alan Dejecacion—Getty Images

<strong>2001</strong> Apple opened its first Apple Stores in 2001, with the original two stores in Virginia and California. On the opening day, thousands of Apple fans stood in line and collectively spent over half a million dollars.

2001 Apple opened its first Apple Stores in 2001, with the original two stores in Virginia and California. On the opening day, thousands of Apple fans stood in line and collectively spent over half a million dollars.

Justin Sullivan—Getty Images

<strong> 2003</strong>The iTunes Store is Apple's online digital media store that redefined the music purchase experience and became a runaway success within years. By 2008, it had become the largest music vendor in the U.S.

2003The iTunes Store is Apple's online digital media store that redefined the music purchase experience and became a runaway success within years. By 2008, it had become the largest music vendor in the U.S.

Ian Waldie—Getty Images

<strong> 2001</strong>The iPod followed the release of iTunes and other consumer-facing software. It offered data storage and a sleek design, and soon became the nation's go-to portable music player.

2001The iPod followed the release of iTunes and other consumer-facing software. It offered data storage and a sleek design, and soon became the nation's go-to portable music player.

Gabe Palacio—Getty Images

<strong>2006</strong> Macbook Pro was Apple's first computer to use Intel Core processors, replacing PowerBook computers. The Macbook Pro line is Apple's latest laptop collection.

2006 Macbook Pro was Apple's first computer to use Intel Core processors, replacing PowerBook computers. The Macbook Pro line is Apple's latest laptop collection.

Justin Sullivan—Getty Images

<strong>2005</strong> The Mac Mini was Apple's first consumer-targeted computer to ship without a display, keyboard or mouse, intended to minimize the space taken by a desktop computer.

2005 The Mac Mini was Apple's first consumer-targeted computer to ship without a display, keyboard or mouse, intended to minimize the space taken by a desktop computer.

Justin Sullivan—Getty Images

<strong>2007</strong> The first iPhone was released after years of speculation that Apple would produce a smartphone. It was known for its large touch screen and finger-touch method, as opposed to using a stylus. It was marketed under the slogan "This is only the beginning."

2007 The first iPhone was released after years of speculation that Apple would produce a smartphone. It was known for its large touch screen and finger-touch method, as opposed to using a stylus. It was marketed under the slogan "This is only the beginning."

Tony Avelar—AFP/Getty Images

<strong>2008</strong> The App Store is Apple's online marketplace for downloading and developing apps. It was released alongside its iPhone 3G, and both proved to be massive successes. The App Store logged over 10 million downloads on the first weekend.

2008 The App Store is Apple's online marketplace for downloading and developing apps. It was released alongside its iPhone 3G, and both proved to be massive successes. The App Store logged over 10 million downloads on the first weekend.

Justin Sullivan—Getty Images

<strong>2010</strong> The iPad is an Apple tablet computer that met mixed reviews, as users were not sure if it was intended to replace or supplement laptop use, though many praised its ability to connect to WiFi or 3G. That year, the iPad became the leader in the tablet computer market.

2010 The iPad is an Apple tablet computer that met mixed reviews, as users were not sure if it was intended to replace or supplement laptop use, though many praised its ability to connect to WiFi or 3G. That year, the iPad became the leader in the tablet computer market.

Justin Sullivan—Getty Images

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Write to Tanya Basu at tanya.basu@time.com.

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