Apple Removes Quran App in China Following Government Request
Apple Removes Quran Majeed App in China
Apple has reportedly removed the Quran Majeed application, a widely used app for accessing the Islamic holy book and related prayer resources, from its App Store in China. This action was taken following requests from the Chinese government, as detailed in a BBC report.
This removal is part of a broader trend within China to restrict access to foreign content, or to increase the difficulties of its availability within the country’s “Great Firewall.”
LinkedIn Also Affected
Just recently, LinkedIn announced its intention to discontinue the Chinese version of its platform by the year's end, citing escalating compliance demands from the Chinese state.
Quran Majeed’s Global Reach
Quran Majeed is a popular religious application with a substantial global user base, boasting approximately 35 million users worldwide.
The app continues to be accessible in other nations through the App Store and Google Play, although Google Play is not officially available in China without the use of a VPN.
Discovery of the Removal
The Apple Censorship website, dedicated to monitoring applications on Apple’s App Store, first identified the recent deletion of Quran Majeed.
China’s Stance on Islam
While China officially acknowledges Islam as a recognized religion, it has drawn criticism regarding human rights concerns and allegations of genocide against the predominantly Muslim Uyghur population in Xinjiang.
Apple’s Response
We have reached out to Apple for a statement regarding this matter and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Controversy Surrounding Apple’s Compliance
Apple has faced ongoing scrutiny regarding its adherence to local regulations. Many critics contend that certain country-specific content rules constitute censorship, and that Apple is too readily compliant.
Apple maintains that its primary obligation is to uphold the laws of the countries where it operates, even when disagreements with those regulations exist.
Apple’s Human Rights Policy
According to Apple’s human rights policy, the company is “required to comply with local laws, and at times there are complex issues about which we may disagree with governments.”
Banned Topics in China
A New York Times report from May indicated that Apple will remove applications that address prohibited subjects, including the Tiananmen Square incident, the Falun Gong spiritual movement, the Dalai Lama, and calls for independence for Tibet and Taiwan.
Business Considerations for Apple
China represents a significant market for Apple, and the company also relies heavily on the country for maintaining its hardware supply chain, adding to the complexities of its business operations.
Other App Removals
Quran Majeed is not the sole application to be removed from China’s Apple App Store. The Olive Tree’s Bible App was also withdrawn this week, with Olive Tree stating that Apple proactively initiated the removal.
