Along with many popular apps, now Skype would also be inaccessible for Chinese citizens. The app has been removed from Apple app stores and all other Android app stores.
Skype is a messaging and calls service that has been removed due to the governmental orders as they think it to infringe the local law, said Apple.
According to BBC, the Skype owner, Microsoft has informed them that the app is “temporarily removed” and the company is “working to reinstate the app as soon as possible”. However, the app is also demolished from the Android app stores in China.
“The iOS version of Skype has been temporarily removed from the app store in China… we’re passionate about the benefit that Skype offers to our users around the world by facilitating communication and enabling collaboration,” said a Microsoft’s spokesperson.
Apple has confessed through a statement, “We have been notified by the Ministry of Public Security that a number of voice over internet protocol apps do not comply with local law.”
The company has denied answering the question that when its Skype app was removed or what’s the case with Android. However, the media reports hints that the Skype disruption was started in October.
There are criticisms on tech giant regarding the app removal from its app store in China.
On Tuesday, Apple has stated that they have withdrawn 674 VPN apps in this year fulfilling the appeals from the Chinese government.
Back in July, the tech giant removed more than 60 virtual private networks (VPNs) which were illegal under Chinese regulations as they were interfering with the Chinese internet firewall. This was disapproved by the creators.
The firm has written in a letter to two of the US senators that they were ordered to take back specific VPN apps even though they inquired about the legal basis of the request.
Apple said that they were informed that the VPN managers had disobeyed the cyber security laws in China.
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About the Author
Zehra Ali is a Tech Reporter and Journalist. She has done her Masters in Mass Communication. Topics related to cybersecurity, IoT, AI, Big Data and other privacy matters are extensively covered by her on various platforms. You can follow her on twitter.
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