#comesfirst

Summary: Apple has removed the New York Times news app from its App Store in China in response to a request from Chinese authorities. The English-language and Chinese-language versions of the Times app disappeared from Apple's App Store in China Dec. 23, despite other publications with international presence like the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal remaining available. Apple has been informed that the app is in violation of local regulations, as a result, the app must be taken down off the China App Store. When this situation changes, the App Store will once again offer the New York Times app for download in China. Administration of Mobile Internet Application Information Services, say apps cannot “engage in activities prohibited by laws and regulations such as endangering national security, disrupting social order and violating the legitimate rights and interests of others.” Apps also aren't allow to publish “prohibited” information, according to the cyberspace administration. The removal of the New York Times apps from the App Store is the highest profile instance of Apple's acquiescence to China's efforts to censor certain content. The company even blocked access to its own News app in an effort to meet the requirements of the Chinese government.  Readers in China can still access information from the New York Times and other censored publications using virtual private networks (VPNs) that spoof their location to a region that is not restricted, though China has repeatedly cracked down on the use of the software that allows such a workaround.