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Apple Locks Down App Store in China, Blocking YouTube, Facebook, and Others to Comply with Strict New Licensing Rules

  • Apple is locking down the App Store in China to comply with new regulations requiring apps to have a license.

  • To get a license, apps must have a physical presence in China or go through a Chinese publisher. This excludes most apps.

  • Apps without a license, like YouTube and Facebook, can no longer be downloaded in China. A VPN loophole that allowed access has closed.

  • China has a history of overregulating app and internet content, forcing Apple to remove apps and content.

  • The new licensing requirements make it very difficult for most apps to remain available in China's App Store.

techspot.com
Relevant topic timeline:
### Summary - Tencent's chief strategy officer, James Mitchell, is optimistic about the future of Tencent's AI-models-as-a-service (MaaS) business, as he believes that customers will have difficulty migrating away from it. - LucasFilm is closing down its Singapore-based visual effects and animation studio due to "economic factors" and changes in the industry. - Chinese state-owned media accuses India of using tax laws to hinder Chinese mobile phone brands and promote its own tech industries. - Alipay, the Alibaba-owned digital payment platform, has expanded its international edition to allow tourists visiting China to attach local cards to their accounts and make payments. - Apple celebrates its 30th anniversary in China, highlighting its contributions to the local economy, society, and environmental initiatives. - Australia's domain administrator, auDA, has experienced a data breach, and cyber criminals may have access to its internal data. ### Facts - šŸ“ˆ Tencent's chief strategy officer believes that large enterprises will be early adopters of the MaaS business, followed by small and medium businesses. - šŸ­ LucasFilm has cited "economic factors" as the reason for the closure of its Singapore studio. - šŸ‡®šŸ‡³ Chinese media claims that India's tax laws are intentionally hindering Chinese mobile phone brands to promote its own tech industries. - šŸ’³ Alipay has updated its international edition to allow users outside China to attach local cards and make payments in China. - šŸŽ Apple celebrates its 30th anniversary in China, emphasizing its contributions to the local economy and society. - šŸŒ Australia's domain administrator, auDA, has experienced a data breach, and cyber criminals may have accessed internal data.
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