Apple has officially removed two of China’s leading gay dating platforms, Blued and Finka, from its App Store in mainland China following a direct order from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).
Confirming the move on Sunday, December 21, 2025, an Apple spokesperson stated that the company is obligated to follow local laws in the regions where it operates, despite the resulting concerns from the international LGBTQ+ community.
While a “lite” version of Blued and a few smaller niche apps like Jicco remain accessible for now, the removal of these primary platforms marks a significant escalation in the digital regulation of queer spaces in China.
The crackdown follows a pattern of increasing restrictions on LGBTQ+ digital infrastructure and advocacy. Since 2022, when the CAC began targeting content deemed “inappropriate” or “illegal,” major platforms like Grindr have disappeared from Chinese storefronts, and prominent advocacy groups, including the Beijing LGBT Center and Shanghai Pride, have been forced to cease operations.
New licensing rules introduced in 2023 further tightened the government’s grip, requiring all domestic apps to undergo a rigorous state registration process to “standardize” the internet industry.
The decision has sparked a wave of disappointment among Chinese users, who increasingly find their avenues for social connection shrinking. Although homosexuality was decriminalized in China in 1997, the lack of legal recognition for same-sex unions and the systematic removal of dedicated social spaces reflect a tightening social environment.
As Apple continues to navigate the complexities of the Chinese market – where it maintains a separate App Store to comply with strict censorship – the loss of Blued, which boasts tens of millions of downloads, represents a major blow to the visibility of the country’s queer community.
